Here’s how the Emperor’s mighty Thunder Warriors from the Unification Wars would play in Warhammer 40k with rules and more.
Updated Feb 18th, 2025, by Rob Baer with new rules and ideas for 10th Edition Warhammer 40k.
The Thunder Warriors were the Emperor’s first attempt at super-soldiers—big, brutal, and about as subtle as an Ork with a megaphone. They crushed everything in their path during the Unification Wars, only to get wiped out when they were no longer useful. But what if they had survived? What if you could bring these walking war machines to your Warhammer 40K tabletop?
That’s exactly what we’re diving into today. While Games Workshop hasn’t given them official rules, that hasn’t stopped players from crafting homebrew stats, handmade codex additions, conversions, and custom lore to field these forgotten warriors. Whether you want to build a Thunder Warrior force that fits the lore or just run them as a brutal alternative to Space Marines, we’ve got you covered.
Who Were The Thunder Warriors?
They were the Emperor’s first batch of super soldiers who assisted him in the battles of the Unification Wars against Techno-Barbarians.
Believe it or not, they used to have a model way back in the day.
They were called Thunder Warriors because Big E’s logo back then was a thunderbolt, and they rocked the symbols across their armor. Being that the Emperor wasn’t actually the Emperor yet. Nor did he have the resources he did when he made Space Marines; he had to cut corners.
Also, they sorta look like RoboCop.
The Thunder Warriors were definitely super soldiers in their own right. However, they did not have nearly the lifespan of a standard Space Marine and would eventually become obsolete. Once the Emperor got the resources for better supersoldiers, he had these guys “disappear.” There hasn’t been any record of them since.
What Happened to the Thunder Warriors in Warhammer 40K?
In short? They got betrayed, butchered, and buried.
The Thunder Warriors were the backbone of the Emperor’s armies during the Unification Wars on Terra. These brutes smashed through warlords, techno-barbarians, and mutant filth like a wrecking ball through a sandcastle. But there was a problem: they were unstable, brutal, and dying off quickly due to genetic degradation.
That “something better” was the Adeptus Astartes, the Space Marines. Once they were ready to step into the Emperor’s grand vision, the Thunder Warriors became… expendable.
During the final battle of the Unification Wars, the Siege of Mount Ararat, the Emperor pulled the biggest backstab in history (and maybe a fun idea for a short in the Cavill Amazon series). The Thunder Warriors who survived the battle didn’t get medals or a retirement plan—they got wiped out and purged by their own allies. Officially, they all died in battle.
Unofficially? The Emperor had them put down like rabid dogs to make room for the more manageable (and longer-lasting) Space Marines.
So, What Would They Look Like in Warhammer 40k Rules-wise?
Believe it or not, they actually had early (prototype) versions of weapons that Space Marines use today. It was thought that they had access to early plasma and experimental ammunition for bolters. The Thunder Warriors were tougher than regular Space Marines in base size/muscle alone. With that said, their armor wasn’t as advanced. Taking all this into consideration, in 10th edition, their stats might be:
M 6″ BS 3+ WS 3+ S5 (melee weapons) T5 W2(maybe 3) A2 Ld7 Sv 4+
Since they are tougher than a regular Space Marine, there’s a chance they could have three wounds, but two seems more likely as they don’t have all the extra organs and such. Now, when compared with a Custodian Guard, could they stand up in the crazy current Grimdark future?
M 6″ BS 2+ WS 2+ T6 W3 A5 (on each weapon profile) Ld6 Sv 2+/4+
They have quite the stat line, but they have been perfecting them for generations! Plus, they are the Emp’s primary defense, so he would obviously want them beastly. Still, if the points were right, it would be super awesome to see them make a comeback. Their biggest strength and weakness might be their weapons. Since they were so much more experimental, they could either work perfectly or fizzle out.
As far as weapons go, they’d probably have something like an even faultier plasma. Maybe on a roll of one, regardless of overcharging, they would be slain. And to overcharge, you’d have to roll a 3+ to see if you even could fire the overcharged profile. Then, maybe once per battle, they could shoot special ammunition rounds. Perhaps it would be their tech and or stratagems that would set them apart on the tabletop.
Points-wise, they would likely sit just a few points above a normal Marine and well below a Custodes.
Are There Any Books with Thunder Warriors?
Yes! If you want to read about these walking war crimes, there are a few excellent sources:
-
“Valdor: Birth of the Imperium” (by Chris Wraight) – This one digs into the final days of the Thunder Warriors and the dirty secrets behind their fate. If you want to see how the Emperor’s golden boy, Constantin Valdor, played a key role in their downfall, this is the book for you.
-
“The Outcast Dead” (by Graham McNeill) – This novel features a surviving Thunder Warrior named Arik Taranis. He’s old, broken, and very, very angry about what happened to his brothers. This book gives a rare look at one of these warriors after the fall, trying to survive in a galaxy that has forgotten him.
-
“Legends of the Dark Millennium: Space Marine Conquests – The Devastation of Baal” (by Guy Haley) – While this one is mostly about the Blood Angels fighting off the Tyranids, there’s an interesting reference to the Thunder Warriors and their tragic past. It’s not a main focus, but it’s worth a mention.
Did GW Leave The Window Open For Thunder Warriors to Return?
In the book “Outcast Dead,” Arik Taranis and his Lieutenant Ghota managed to survive the rest of the Thunder Warrior’s eradication and found a dead traitor marine and harvested his progenoid gland.
Otherwise known as Geneseed. Somehow, they managed to implant the genetic data into themselves, making them somewhere between both warriors. (Probably called a Thunder Astartes).
After this, things went dark on the whole story. They could have settled down on Terra and died in the great Siege or may have escaped and explored the rest of space, but there is a small sliver of hope for their return!
All 20 Warhammer Primarchs Origins, Status, & Iconic Moments
What do you think about the Thunder Warriors in Warhammer 40k?
