Nurgle isn’s just a god of decay in Warhammer 40k—he’s pure horror, uncover the terrifying truth behind his corruptions in this guide.
Updated on April 10th, 2025, by Rob Baer with the latest links and relevant information.
In Warhammer 40k, no Chaos God embodies true terror quite like Nurgle. He doesn’t just kill; he transforms. His followers don’t scream in agony. They laugh, welcome his gifts, and spread the sickness further.
The worst part? There’s no escape, and it only gets worse from there…
Warhammer 40k’s Secret Horror
If there’s one faction in Warhammer 40k that truly embodies resilience, it’s Nurgle. Anyone who has faced a Nurgle army in 40k knows that trying to bring them down feels like fighting a swamp that punches back.
Between their disgustingly durable units and relentless ability to weather even the nastiest attacks, playing them is about grinding the opponent down while chuckling at their futile attempts to stop the rot. Whether it’s Nurgle Daemons, Death Guard Legion, or the infamous Plague Marines, this army thrives on slow, methodical warfare with a side of infectious misery.
Nurgle isn’t just about decay—it’s about the acceptance of life’s inevitable end, coated in an extra layer of filth. While other factions in Warhammer 40K rely on high-tech weaponry or divine intervention, his armies simply endure.
Nurgle doesn’t need to charge into battle, hurl fire, or wield massive weapons to be terrifying—his power lies in the slow, inevitable decay of everything. While Khorne rages and Tzeentch schemes, Nurgle simply waits. Empires rot, warriors collapse, and planets wither under his touch.
His influence isn’t quick or flashy—it’s a creeping horror that turns flesh to sludge, armor to rust, and hopes into despair.
The Essence of Decay
Playing a Nurgle army in 40k means embracing the long game. Opponents will try to wear you down, but they’ll quickly realize that’s a mistake. Units in a Warhammer 40k Nurgle army are notoriously difficult to kill, boasting abilities that reduce damage, shrug off wounds, and spread their suffering to anything nearby.
Nurgle 40K models are some of the most visually grotesque in the game, and that’s part of the charm. Bloated bodies, exposed organs, and an unhealthy amount of boils—everything about them screams infection in the most artistic way possible.
And let’s not forget the Warhammer 40k Nurgle Space Marines. The Plague Marines are the backbone of a Death Guard force. While regular Space Marines rely on speed and firepower, these warriors prefer to absorb punishment while closing in for lethal melee combat. Their resilience makes them one of the hardest factions to shift off objectives, turning every battle into a slow, rotting grind for their opponents.
Between Warhammer 40k Nurglings, Plaguebearers, and the sheer staying power of the Death Guard Legion, the force is an exercise in inevitability. Opponents may think they have the upper hand, but sooner or later, the rot always sets in.
The Terrifying Nature of Nurgle
Nurgle doesn’t terrify in the way the Blood God does, with his axes and rivers of gore. This is a different kind of horror—he doesn’t kill you outright; he lets you rot from the inside while laughing about it. His power isn’t in brute force but in the slow, inevitable spread of decay. He isn’t about shock and awe; it’s about watching things wither while realizing there’s nothing you can do to stop it.
A 40k Nurgle army is built around that same concept. These aren’t warriors who charge into battle at breakneck speed. They march forward without a care, knowing they’ll still be standing long after their opponents have exhausted themselves. The longer the fight drags on, the more their enemies weaken, making them a nightmare to deal with.
Nurgle Daemons & Their Horrors
Nurgle is not just about rot and decay; it’s about things that should have crumbled to dust long ago but keep on moving, grinning through festering wounds. The Nurgle 40K daemonic horde is a perfect representation of this. These creatures are not mindless monsters but rather joyous carriers of disease, eager to spread their “gifts” to anything that breathes… or used to breathe.
Unlike other Chaos Daemons, who bring destruction through rage or madness, Daemons play the long game. They weaken enemies, infecting them with sickness until they collapse under their own failing bodies. That resilience makes them some of the toughest daemons in Warhammer 40K Nurgle forces.
The iconic units in Warhammer 40k Nurgle forces reflect this philosophy. Plaguebearers in 40k march forward in disgusting ranks, their bodies bursting with disease that spreads like wildfire. Death Guard Space Marines, loyal to Grandfather Nurgle, are walking biohazards, immune to pain and absolutely relentless.
Then there are the smaller, more mischievous ones—Nurglings. These tiny, plague-ridden creatures cause chaos wherever they go, giggling while they spread pestilence.
Plaguebearers
Every Chaos army has its rank-and-file troops, and for Nurgle, that job falls to the Plaguebearers in 40K. These daemons are formed from the souls of those who die from Nurgle’s most virulent diseases, doomed to spend eternity in service to their master.
They march with a relentless, almost lazy pace, bodies riddled with sores, holding rusted weapons dripping with toxins. Unlike the more chaotic forces of the Warp, they bring a strange sense of order, keeping count of every disease spread and every soul claimed. Their toughness makes them excellent objective holders, refusing to die even when hacked to pieces.
Nurglings
On the opposite end of the scale are Nurglings—tiny, mischievous creatures that swarm the battlefield like giggling, pestilent toddlers. They might not seem threatening, but underestimating them is a mistake. A Nurgling swarm can bog down enemies, biting, clawing, and spreading disease with gleeful enthusiasm.
More than just battlefield annoyances, Warhammer 40K Nurglings are a visual reminder that Nurgle finds joy in his work. They aren’t malicious; they just love to share their blessings, much to the horror of their victims.
Factions Devoted to Nurgle
The most infamous followers of Nurgle in 40k are the Death Guard Legion. Once noble warriors of the Imperium, they fell to Nurgle’s corruption during the Horus Heresy. What began as an act of desperation—turning to Nurgle to survive a horrific warp plague—ended in eternal servitude to the Plague God thanks to Calas Typhon.
Now, they are rotting monstrosities, clad in rusted power armor that no longer needs maintenance. They feel no pain, no exhaustion, and no fear. Bullets and blades mean little to them, as they wade through enemy fire like a slow-moving, festering tide.
Warhammer 40k Nurgle Space Marines
While Chaos Space Marines serve various dark gods, Warhammer 40k Nurgle Space Marines are a breed apart. They don’t fight for glory or destruction but for the simple joy of spreading their Grandfather’s gifts. Nurgle Plague Marines are nearly impossible to kill, shrugging off wounds that would drop any other warrior.
The sight of them advancing, their weapons spewing disease, is enough to break the spirit of even the most hardened soldier. Fighting them isn’t just about survival—it’s about avoiding an infection that will turn even the strongest into one of Nurgle’s own.
How to Start a Nurgle 40K Army
Building a Nurgle army 40K starts with understanding its play style. These aren’t troops that rush across the board or rely on precision strikes. They are slow, relentless, and absurdly hard to kill. Opponents will throw everything at them, only to watch in horror as the Warhammer 40K Nurgle army shrugs it all off and keeps coming.
The Nurgle 40K model range is packed with grotesque, disease-ridden units that fit this theme perfectly. Warhammer 40K Nurgle Space Marines are some of the toughest warriors in the game, capable of withstanding an obscene amount of damage before they finally go down. 40K Nurglings provide cheap, annoying distractions that can bog down enemies and spread infections across the battlefield.
For those looking to lean heavily into Nurgle’s daemonic side, Nurgle Daemons are a great addition. Plaguebearers serve as the backbone of a daemon-heavy list, while Great Unclean Ones bring a terrifying mix of durability and melee power.
Nurgle Loves FAQs
Is Nurgle the strongest Chaos God?
That depends on how you define strength. If we’re talking about raw military power, Khorne has the edge. If it’s about manipulation and sorcery, Tzeentch is the top contender. In terms of sheer inevitability, it’s hard to argue against Warhammer 40k Nurgle as one of the most powerful forces in the universe.
Who is Nurgle in love with?
Nurgle has a strange, one-sided affection for Isha, the Eldar goddess of healing and fertility. He once captured her, keeping her in his garden while forcing her to watch as he brewed plagues from her suffering. While she hasn’t managed to escape, some stories suggest she still whispers cures into the warp, working against his corruption whenever she can. It’s a twisted dynamic, but when it comes to chaos, nothing is ever simple.
Why do people like Nurgle so much?
For a god of filth and disease, Nurgle has a surprisingly devoted fanbase. His armies are some of the most visually striking in Warhammer 40K, with their grotesque designs and nightmarish details. But there’s also something strangely comforting about him. There’s a reason he’s called Grandfather Nurgle.
Why is Nurgle called Papa Nurgle?
Unlike the rage-fueled Khorne or the manipulative Tzeentch, Nurgle has a disturbingly warm presence. He genuinely cares for his followers, nurturing them like a proud, rotting father. His daemons, especially Warhammer 40k Nurglings, reflect this twisted sense of joy.
Instead of ruling with fear, he offers a form of grotesque love, making his followers feel special even as they rot away. That’s why so many refer to him as Papa Nurgle—it’s a nickname that perfectly captures his unsettling but oddly affectionate nature.
Final Thoughts
Warhammer 40k Nurgle Space Marines, Plaguebearers, and the Death Guard Legion all represent the unstoppable nature of disease and decay. It’s not about brute force; it’s about patience. A Nurgle army of 40k grinds opponents down, spreading filth and despair across the battlefield.
There’s a reason players love running Warhammer 40k Nurgle armies—it’s not just about winning. It’s about watching the fight drag on, knowing that no matter how hard the enemy struggles, they can’t stop what’s coming.
See How to Play Death Guard Here!
What are your thoughts on Nurgle in Warhammer 40k? Will you be playing Daemons or the Death Guard?
