Renegade Astartes are completely different from CSM, though. CSM are corrupted by Chaos; most of them kill for their gods, others just kill for the sake of it, but they all hate the Emprah and their souls belong to the gods. Renegades are not corrupted by Chaos (yet) so they're free to do whatever they want, they can kill loyalists or even forces of Chaos (like the Soul Drinkers) and don't care about the Imperium anymore.
Alpha legion, Iron warriors and Corsairs are in the chaos codexes so renegades come under the same belt. Chaos represents more than just the gods too
I really can't fit everything I love about 40K in one post, but I will throw some stuff out there. 1. The rise and fall of mankind. We see it so much in real life where we can have it all but mess it up because we are a fallen people. 2. The total awesomeness that are Space Marines!!! 3. The Black Library (and Forge World) stories. The Horus Heresy books are incredible. 4. No matter what you like, you can find it in 40K. And who knows, some day they may focus on your thing 5. The ever changing forces of Chaos! 6. Imperial Fists!!!
When I was a kid I was introduced to the Warhammer 40K Universe when I was given the board game "Space Crusade" for my birthday, which me and my friends really enjoyed playing. And it sucked me into the deep 40K Lore. If I was to specify my number 1 favorite thing about the Warhammer 40K Universe, it would have to be the Sheer Mind-boggling Scale of it. It's Universe stretches the imagination like no other fantasy Lore, as almost everything in it is absolutely epic in scale. Just the small basic things like Space Marines, Orks, Eldar, Psychic Powers, the Warp, the Advanced 40K Technology, etc. are hard to get your head around. Then you have the godlike Emperor, Chaos gods, C'tan, Gork & Mork, Eldar gods, the history and immensity of the Galaxy, with its trillions of sentient lifeforms and constant wars going on in it, etc. which is impossible to imagine. But on top of that you realize that this is all happening in just 1 of the 100+ Billion Galaxies, and this fact just blows your mind. (Unless the Tyranids have already nommed the other 100+ Billion Galaxies ) A close 2nd favorite thing would be the "Grimdark" setting this all takes place in. As it makes you wonder in amazement how the Humans, Eldar & Tau are able to find the will to fight against such implacable foes, such as the forces of Chaos, Tyranids, Orks, Necron, etc. It also gives you a greater understanding why these "Good" races do so much "evil", because of the sheer necessity of harsh and brutal actions in order for them to survive in such a horrifying Galaxy. But even in this extremely Grimdark universe there is a faint glimmer of hope for these 3 races, as they each have a legitimate but highly unlikely chance of eventually being victorious (mostly due to GW never allowing it to "end" ). For example: The Emperor returns, or Ynnead is created, or "The Greater Good" is eventually achieved (most likely through the extinction of the pyschic races via sterilization and war). So to sum up why the Warhammer 40k is my absolute favorite Fantasy Universe, I would have to say: A Horrifying Grimdark Galaxy of Epic Scale which still has a strong underlying sense of Hope.
Well, i've been in W40k as my favourite univers for almost ten years now. I first got into the universe with space crusade (as in the board game based on w40k), but only really dove into the hobby due to being introduced to dawn of war as i didn't realise it had such an expansive universe. Ever since then, it's been my favourite hobby, my favourite past time, favourite universe, favourite money funneler, i adore all things warhammer, the music, the universe, the dialogue, each faction, the gritty, gory atmosphere that would make tarentino blush and most of all, the gothic-dieselpunkish appearance it presents itself with. I first heard about eternal crusade, a day after it was actually announced, as i googled dark millenium online about 2 years(?) ago to read the full story of it's fate. And eternal crusade was mentioned on the news panel of google, outlining the premise of the game and toting the dark angel's 6th edition codex artwork. And ever since then, i hve rampantly followed this game, just as i have with the universe TLR - I Fucking adore this universe. The only things that come close are payday 2 and terraria, but they ain't grimdark enough
Pre and during the Heresy is what mainly grabs my attention but it is always nice to see how the False Emperor fucked up the Imperium he worked so hard to create. But mainly I like reading stuff from other people's perspective so what the Word Bearers see as something to be glorified and honoured the Death Guard or more precisely Mortarion considers it to be disgusting and vile. Only stuff after the Heresy that I personally enjoy is Chaos and a few Eldar books and novels. I guess the atmosphere of Mankind's ascension and decline being written about is always nice but it doesn't just say Humans are the good guys as it goes it showing that no group is just black and white with these guys being the knights in shining armour well except for the Grey Knights but they're not morally... Also I like how people grow strong attachments to see that Lorgar was right to search for Gods or how Curze was right for destroying Nostromo or how Guilliman was right to try and create a new Imperium and so on. I know I think Fabius and Fulgrim were right to try and improve the Astartes beyond what the Emperor had created, they could have just stopped at some point... But I got into Warhammer from Dawn of War which when I first played the Campaign I thought Gabriel Angelos was saying "For Terror" instead of "For Terra". Also from the looks of it I thought that the Blood Ravens were the good guys until I wondered why the Chaos Marines had turned to Chaos then read up about the Legions and fell in love with the Emperor's Children. =D
This maybe cheezy, but I always loved... In the Grim Darkness... there is only War. That and... You are the Mailed Fist of the Emperor. Not sure what it is but those lines give me goose bumps.
I love WarHammer...I hate GamesWorkshop. Is that something someone is allowed to write in here or are you guys fueling up the flamers? Alone the prices for the grey plastic minis are a simple no-go. When I go into one of those shops, honestly, I see vendors trying to sell stuff to kids...yet none of those kids has a job to actually pay for those things. Since I am a roleplayer I often visit convention to master or play my favorites. I once wanted to take part in that WH40k battle-thingy, and the conversation went like this: Me: "Hey, I'm new...can I play along?" WH40k guy: "Sure, yeah...you have an army?" Me: "Yeah, got it from a friend, thats sitting over there". WH40k guy: "aeh...is your friend also taking part?" Me: "yes, of course...". WH40k guy: "Then, no sorry..you cant take part with the same army". Me: "why? Your joking? C'mon...unless we play against each other it should work". WH40k guy: "Nope, those are the rule, every player needs an own army". Me: "Ok...what does one cost? I got some cash on me". WH40K guy: "depends...but anyway, they dont come painted, and to take part you need them finished". Me: "ok...so no chance for me taking part?". WH40K guy: "nope..." Then...I have never seen any SF universe that makes so much fun reading about. And I discovered mighty Dan Abnett through WarHammer, a thing I'll be allways gratefull for. So...I'm not sure how to put it...I love the novels...I love the background...I hate the pricing and the internal rules of games workshop.
