Episode 94

full
Published on:

9th Sep 2026

WARHAMMER'S IMPERIUM FACTIONS, RANKED | New Player Guide

Do you agree with our rankings? Tell us at https://discord.gg/2dX5JqfNQ6

We're back to where it all started; we are redoing our original four episodes! Those inaugural episodes served as both an introduction to and a metrics-based review of each playable faction in Warhammer 40,000. With 11th edition landing hot and new players joining the scene, we feel it's a great time to revisit this faction breakdown format.

In our second episode, we cover the Imperium beside the Space Marines, from the human meat-shields and operatives of the empire to the esoteric mindsets and bio-engineered demigods at its inward core.

This series blends matter-of-fact orientation with opinionated review. We give each of the four categories a ranking between 1-5, and an overall score out of 20. We call this the S.L.A.G ranking. We feel these categories cover all you need to know:

STYLE - the overall aesthetic and whether we feel it is fully realised.

LORE - their place in the universe, how they are represented, and how they carry themselves within the epic.

ACCESSIBILITY - whether the faction is easy to acquire, paint, and get going with.

GAMEPLAY - how all of the above comes to life on the tabletop, whether their rules serve the faction well, and whether the faction does well both casually and competitively.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro and explaining our ranking system

04:04 Adepta Sororitas, my beloved

19:49 Adeptus Custodes, the Emperor's Bodyguards

33:57 Adeptus Mechanicus, or, the Derpy Beep-Boops

49:14 Astra Militarum, ooh-rah

01:01:26 ... sigh, Imperial Agents

01:09:02 I M P E R I A L K N I G H T S

01:18:45 Outro. Also, join our Discord

Website/links: https://ttpfieldmanual.captivate.fm

TTP Field Manual is brought to you by Joshy and Jonny, best friends and tabletop gaming fans from their local group, Trust the Process Hobbies. We use this podcast to share our ramblings about the hobby (though we cannot shut up about Warhammer).

By day, Joshy is a therapist; by night, an RPG aficionado raised on Final Fantasy and years of crafting his own Dungeons & Dragons worlds. Jonny, a technician, spends his downtime conquering more video games than Joshy can track.

Our occasional guest Zakky has a passion for buying things he then has to build.

Thanks for listening!

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About the Podcast

TTP Field Manual
Joshy and Jonny are here to Play Games, Read Books, Roll Dice, and Trust the Process
Our Community Discord: https://discord.gg/Q6CTSrcbPT
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TTPFieldManual
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ttpfieldmanual

From the grimdark depths of Warhammer to the weird corners of indie skirmish games, we’re here to help you explore, expand, and enjoy 'hobby'—wherever it takes us. Expect insights, unfiltered opinions, and an approachable take on miniature wargaming, model releases, lore deep-dives, rambles, and the occasional video game or book chat.

Join us as we light the way for gamers, hobbyists, and lore fanatics through the ever-expanding worlds of tabletop gaming, with new episodes weekly. Whether you're a battle-hardened gamer or eyeing your first box set, you're in good company.

About your hosts

Joshua Bryant

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By day, Joshy is a therapist; by night, he's an RPG aficionado who grew up on (not-so) Final Fantasies and crafting his own Dungeons & Dragons worlds.

Josh loves sci-fantasy, and so is quite at home with Warhammer! He plays Necrons, Adepta Sororitas, and Aeldari. His playstyle is reserved and cagey, preferring to outmaneuver his opponents before delivering the killing blow. His painting approach is a blend of fast painting styles and technical effects. He's the resident lore expert and wishes he could apply his encyclopaedic brain to other areas of life.

Jonathan Langtree

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Jonny, a technician, spends his downtime conquering more video games than Joshy can keep track of.

Jonny is a big fan of magic in his games and putting together vicious combos. He's the de facto Champion of Chaos when it comes to Warhammer, playing Chaos Knights, Thousand Sons, and Chaos Space Marines. He loves synergistic army lists and is always putting together new ideas. His painting approach is classic 'Eavy Metal.