What is the best Warhammer 40,000 faction to play?

Warhammer 40,000 offers dozens of richly detailed factions, from the iconic Space Marines to ancient Necrons and swarming Tyranids. Which faction is the best army to collect and play?

1

Space Marines

The iconic poster army of Warhammer 40K, offering versatile playstyles, the largest model range, and dozens of Chapter sub-factions from Ultramarines to Space Wolves.

2

Chaos Space Marines

The corrupted mirror of the Space Marines, offering aggressive close-combat playstyles and access to the dark blessings of the Chaos Gods.

3

Necrons

Ancient undying robotic warriors that reanimate after being destroyed, offering a durable and hard-to-remove elite force with powerful energy weapons.

4

Tyranids

A swarming alien horde faction that drowns opponents in a relentless wave of bio-engineered creatures, offering overwhelming numbers and terrifying close combat.

5

Tau (T'au Empire)

A technologically advanced race focused on devastating long-range firepower, with marker lights and drones that amplify their shooting to terrifying accuracy.

6

Eldar (Aeldari)

The ancient alien craftworld armies offering elite fast-moving units, psychic powers, and the highest skill ceiling of any faction in the game.

7

Orks

A chaotic green-skinned horde famous for ramshackle vehicles, overwhelming numbers, and one of the most beloved and unique visual identities in all of Warhammer.

8

Death Guard

Nurgle's chosen chaos marines, extraordinarily tough to kill with the Disgustingly Resilient rule, spreading plague and pestilence in a slow grinding advance.

9

Thousand Sons

Tzeentch's scheming chaos sorcerers, currently among the top competitive factions, wielding potent psychic powers and devastating Rubric Marine infantry.

10

Adeptus Mechanicus

The tech-priest armies of Mars offering heavily augmented cyborg warriors and powerful machines, with a deep lore connection to the Omnissiah.

11

Grey Knights

The elite psychic brotherhood of secret Space Marines who battle daemonic incursions, offering small but extraordinarily powerful unit abilities.

12

Deathwatch

Currently the top competitive army with a 63% win rate, consisting of veteran Space Marines from different Chapters united against xenos threats.

13

Imperial Guard (Astra Militarum)

The vast human armies of the Imperium, fielding waves of ordinary soldiers and titanic battle tanks in an attrition-based playstyle.

14

Blood Angels

A beloved Space Marine chapter known for their tragic flaw — the Red Thirst and Black Rage — and a unique focus on aggressive assault tactics.