Summary
In the grim darkness of the far future, there is only war. Endless battles rage across the stars, foughtbetween a myriad of factions, all with their own motivations and goals. Within all these factions, great leaders control their vast armies in pursuit of overall victory.
Of all the many heroes and monsters within theWarhammer 40ksetting, certain figures have risen through the ranks and performed great feats that have raised them above other would-be rulers. These faction leaders have cemented their names as legends and are often the last hopes of their races, without which there would be no survival.
Updated May 26, 2025 by Andy Chapman: Warhammer 40k continues to reach new audiences. With the hype surrounding upcoming TV adaptations growing, the previously niche hobby is creeping into the mainstream. Warhammer 40k video games have also found their stride, with popular titles such asRogue Trader,Boltgun, and most recently,Space Marine 2reaching a wider audience.
The success of these games has drawn more eyes to the hobby, further raising the profile of the tabletop wargame. This article has been updated to include additional entries to show the wide range of faction leaders within the game’s lore.
1Ancestor Cores
Ancient Sentient Machines
The Leagues of Votann, also known as The Kin, are a race of abhumans that settled within the galactic core millennia ago. A secretive people, they are led by sentient AIs known as Votann, created long ago by the original settlers tosurvive the harsh conditions. The Ancestor Cores contain vast amounts of precious knowledge, much of which was lost or forgotten by the wider species of humanity.
The Kin defend the secrets of their race from all, even their allies in the Imperium, as knowledge of the Votann would lead to the Kin’s destruction. Over the long years, many of the Votann have degraded, and much of the knowledge they possess has been lost.
2Morvenn Vahl
Leading the Faithful into Battle
Morvenn Vahl is the Abbess Sanctorum of the Adepta Sororitas and a High Lord of Terra. While she wields tremendous power in both these positions, she remains a stalwart warrior, leading from the front in her impressive Paragon Warsuit, Purgator Mirabilis.
As a High Lord of Terra, Morvenn Vahl stands part from the pomp and ceremony of the other Lords. She attends meetings in full battle armor and speaks her mind, uncaring of political grandstanding. She can be pitiless and intimidating when she needs to be, and is a far cry from the puppet the Ecclesiarchy had hoped her to be. She has taken an active role in the Indomitus Crusade, appointing herself commander, and leading by example on multiple campaigns.
3Yvraine
The Prophet of Ynnead
After the fall of the Eldar race with the birth of Slaanesh, the species splintered into smaller factions. Rarely coming together, they have few leaders working for the betterment of all the Aeldari. Yvraine is one of the few who is.
Leading a recent faction among the Eldar known as the Ynnari, Yvraine serves as the emissary for the Aeldari god Ynnead, whom they seek to fully awaken. Yvraine brings many of the factions of Aeldari together under her banner and will go to any lengths to achieve her goals. She was also instrumental in bringing about the resurrection of Roboute Guilliman.
4Asdrubael Vect
Undisputed Ruler of the Dark City
Of all the factions within theWarhammer 40ksetting, the Drukhari are one of the mostdepraved and fearedpeoples in the galaxy. Getting taken by the Drukhari means an existence of never-ending torture and death. They work to appease Slaanesh to save their souls. Made up of small warbands, the largest is the Kabal of the Black Heart, led by the most feared Asdrubael Vect.
As the leader of the largest Kabal in Commorragh, the Drukhari stronghold within the webway, Asdrubael Vect is the faction’s de facto leader. With his unrivaled cunning and deadly ambitions, Vect grew the city of the Drukhari to greater, more terrible heights than ever before.
A Powerful And Influential Aeldari Farseer
The oldest and greatest living Farseer of the Eldar race, Eldrad Ulthran of Craftwold Ulthwé has been one of the most influential figures in theWarhammer 40ksetting. A psyker of immense power, Ulthran’s foresight has saved his people countless times.
He was responsible for the awakening of the Aeldari God of the Dead, Ynnead, which brought about the formation of the Ynnari, whom Ulthran now supports. It is said he also foresaw the Horus Heresy and attempted to warn humanity of the impending chaos it would bring. Few figures in theWarhammer 40ksetting are as important as Eldrad Ulthran, who has even temporarily allied himself with Roboute Guilliman, after aiding in his resurrection.
6Genestealer Patriarchs
A Disease at the Heart of the Imperium
Genestealer Cults are some of the most insidious threats facing the vast Imperium of Man. A cult can wait for generations, slowly indoctrinating a population from the shadows. By placing operatives in every section of society, the cult positions itself, ready for ascension day, when they attack.
Entire planets can be defeated in a single night of death and mayhem. Once a planet has been overrun, a psychic call rings out, bringing the Tyranids down to consume every atom of biomass on the planet. Genestealer Cults are led by large and powerful Genestealer variants called Patriarchs, who slowly infect the minds of a population. Cultists are psychically linked by this Patriarch, who hides deep in the underbelly of a city, controlling the actions of the cultists. Killing the Patriarch quickly is the only assured way of ending a Genestealer Cult uprising, but this is easier said than done. Most populations will never know it’s even there.
7Commander Farsight
A Warrior and Outcast
The T’au Empire is one of the younger factions to gain prominence within the Warhammer 40k setting. Following the notion of the greater good, the T’au are among the most advanced species in the galaxy. Within theT’au Empire’s united banner, there is one exception and one of the most controversial figures in their history: Shas’O Vior’la Shovah Kais Mont’yr, more commonly known as Commander Farsight.
This legendary hero of the T’au leads a breakaway faction known as the Farsight Enclave. He is one of the greatest warriors of the race,a master in tactical war, and a charismatic leader. Unlike much of his species, he is a close-combat expert.
8Ghazghkull Mag Uruk Thraka
Prophet of the Waaagh!
To become a warboss of an Ork army is simple: Be the biggest most ork-like ork there is. Among all the billions of orks in the galaxy, there is none bigger or more ork-like than Ghazghkull Mag Uruk Thraka, also known as the Beast of Armageddon.
He became known as a prophet of the ork gods Gork and Mork after half his head was completely destroyed. Much of his skull and brain was replaced with wiring and metal. After this, he dreamed of leading the greatest WAAAGH! in the galaxy. He now leads billions of greenskins to war, with more flocking to his banner by the day.
9Szarekh, The Silent King
The Curse and Savior of His People
Millions of years ago, the technologically advanced race known as the Necrontyr suffered short painful lives. In an attempt to save his people, Szarekh made a deal with the C’tan, who claimed they could grant immortality. These godlike beings tricked the Necrontyr and turned them into walking metal slaves, now known as Necrons.
The Silent King was one of the few who retained their conscious selves. Eventually, he rose up and turned against the C’tan, freeing his people. The Silent King is the ancient and powerful ruler of one of the most feared species in the galaxy, and as more Necrons awaken, they look to retake their place as galactic lords.
10Trajann Valoris
The Emperor’s Bodyguard
The Adeptus Custodes are the most elite fighting force in the Imperium of Man. Tasked as the Emperor of Mankind’s personal bodyguard, emissaries, and defenders of the imperial palace, they are among the most dedicated, disciplined, and deadly warriors humanity has ever seen and hold the highest levels of respect.
Trajann Valoris is the Chief Custodian and 17th Captain-General of the Custodes and is considered one of thegreatest warriors in the Imperium. With the opening of the great rift and the return of Roboute Guilliman and his Indomitus Crusade, the Custodes have taken a larger role in events. With Trajann Valoris at the head, the enemies of humanity have more to fear than ever.
