Where to start with the lore?

[Eren Jäger]

Is there a coherent story, e.g. novels, to better understand the story? For a newcomer, everything is pretty confusing with all the factions. Then there are tens of Space Marine Legions etc.

For example, where do the Tyranids come from and why do they attack?

[RubyCante]

Tyranids come from "outside" of the known space, they are a hive mind swarm faction that eat/devour everything like the zerg in starcraft
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0Z4i1Sl94g

[Solvem Probler]

Difficult to say for a total beginner. For Space Marines in particular I suppose the Ragnar Blackmane novels are a decent start.
You COULD start with Horus Rising but that's a whole other can of worms 10.000 years off from the current events.

[Eightball]

Tyranids come from deep space. Well outside of the known and visible universe. Deep out there, in the void of nothing. As far as anyone knows, theres much, much, much worse things coming and the current tyranid invasion is believed only to be tendrils of something, far greater, far more threatening, possibly cosmically huge lifeforms, out in deep space.

The only thing / person known to have gone to deep space that may have knowledge of what is out there, is the Silent King for the Necrons. But he is uh, being awfully silent on the subject.

It's easier to answer something specific rather than just telling you a giant lore dump about things that you might not be ready for yet, lol. Try this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xF9uVsY9Fwo

[M.T. Fish]

I suggest the Ciaphas Cain novels as a starting point. They don't go super hard into the lore but touch the surface pretty well so it isn't overwhelming. He fights most of the enemy factions at least once and it's a good mix of action and light comedic relief.

They are written as if they are Cain's memoirs and often have footnotes from another character explaining things Cain is wrong about or doesn't understand.

[Slithy]

Start with YouTube videos to figure stuff out and when you feel comfortable move on to the Horus Heresy novels. Horus Rising is a fantastic novel.

[Garatgh Deloi]

I'd either start with the Ciaphas Cain novels for the same reasons M.T. Fish mentioned.

Or with the Horus Heresy. Its the events leading up to Warhammer 40k (Taking place 10,000 or so years before).

[Eightball]

Originally posted by M.T. Fish:

I suggest the Ciaphas Cain novels as a starting point. They don't go super hard into the lore but touch the surface pretty well so it isn't overwhelming. He fights most of the enemy factions at least once and it's a good mix of action and light comedic relief.

They are written as if they are Cain's memoirs and often have footnotes from another character explaining things Cain is wrong about or doesn't understand.

The problem with the Ciaphas Cain books is the tone of the books. They are amazing, but that said, especially his first ones, are comedy, not really the grimdark anyone would expect from 40k.

[Eightball]

Originally posted by Garatgh Deloi:

I'd start with the Horus Heresy. Its the events leading up to Warhammer 40k (Taking place 10,000 or so years before).

Not a good way to learn about anything except space marines though. Maybe some admech. Amazing story but it's not going to teach you much about the 40k universe at large. It's best if you are already into it.

[Infrasound]

If you understand NOBODY EVER WINS and can deal with that go for it. Also there are no good guys.

[Garatgh Deloi]

Originally posted by Eightball:

Not a good way to learn about anything except space marines though. Maybe some admech.

Yea, but its a good introduction since you find out why the universe is as grim dark as it is. No matter what lore source you choose its likely going to focus on one group or another.

[M.T. Fish]

Originally posted by Eightball:

Originally posted by M.T. Fish:

I suggest the Ciaphas Cain novels as a starting point. They don't go super hard into the lore but touch the surface pretty well so it isn't overwhelming. He fights most of the enemy factions at least once and it's a good mix of action and light comedic relief.

They are written as if they are Cain's memoirs and often have footnotes from another character explaining things Cain is wrong about or doesn't understand.

The problem with the Ciaphas Cain books is the tone of the books. They are amazing, but that said, especially his first ones, are comedy, not really the grimdark anyone would expect from 40k.

That's part of why I recommend them since new people might not immediately receptive to the grimdark. It's also why I recommend Gotrek and Felix as an entry to Warhammer Fantasy.

[SPOOKY]

Just look up the "Horus Heresy" and read the first 3 Books or listen to the Audiobooks. After that you get the Idea and can move on freely in the Lore. Just remember the difference in time like Born2Dive already said. Have fun, there is super dope content waiting for you :)

[Eightball]

Originally posted by Garatgh Deloi:

Originally posted by Eightball:

Not a good way to learn about anything except space marines though. Maybe some admech.

Yea, but its a good introduction since you find out why the universe is as grim dark as it is. No matter what lore source you choose its likely going to focus on one group or another.

Yeah for sure, but when you dive into HH you area gonna be in there for a loooooooong time. At least other books, even those with series, won't have you stuck in there for years xD

Theres just far far too many HH books to reccomend that as a starting point. That's like a deep dive once you are already in deep.

Honestly, Gaunts Ghosts is probably the best series / books to get into as a starter.

Although saying all of that, if your goal is just to absorb information, as much as possible as quickly as possible, youtube is your best bet.

[BipolarMadness]

Emperor Text to Speech series. I know it's a parody (and sadly Games Workshop cut it), but it's the way I got in the series besides playing Dawn of War, so give it a go.

https://youtu.be/pcYrTCGKyrU?si=LC_n1SEy07yup7li

[Solvem Probler]

Originally posted by Eightball:

Originally posted by Garatgh Deloi:

I'd start with the Horus Heresy. Its the events leading up to Warhammer 40k (Taking place 10,000 or so years before).

Not a good way to learn about anything except space marines though. Maybe some admech. Amazing story but it's not going to teach you much about the 40k universe at large. It's best if you are already into it.

The HH novels have some REAL stinkers in them and it doesn't particularly help in figuring out the current situation.