Your guide to all the 40k Arks of Omen characters, the return of primarch Lion El Jonson, epic battles, and the future of the Imperium!
Warhammer 40k Arks of Omen: Complete Gameplay & Lore Guide
Arks of Omen is one of the coolest narrative book series from Games Workshop that shook up Warhammer 40k 9th Edition. It’s got new characters, fresh plot twists, and even a new game mode for spaceship battles. Plus, guess who’s back? Lion El Jonson! For all the essential backstory leading into 10th Edition, this series is a must-read!
Click any of the links below to jump to the info you need the most, or just dig in from the beginning.
- Introduction to Arks of Omen
- Boarding Actions: A New Way to Play Warhammer 40k
- Character and Faction Highlights
- The Lore Behind the Arks of Omen
- The Future For Arks of Omen
Introduction to The 40k Arks of Omen
Overview of the Arks of Omen Series
Welcome to Warhammer 40k, where the stakes are high, the battles are fierce, and the lore is as thick as a Black Library novel. The Arks of Omen series is a recent addition to this vast universe, bringing fresh chaos (literally) to your tabletop. Released in early 2023, this series aims to tie up the loose ends of the 9th Edition while paving the way for the 10th.
Release Dates and Key Books
The series kicked off with “Arks of Omen: Abaddon” on January 14, 2023, setting the stage for the galaxy-spanning chaos to follow. Each subsequent book focuses on a different character, culminating with “Arks of Omen: The Lion” on April 22, 2023. It’s like binge-watching your favorite series but with more bolters and chainswords. If you want to take a trip down memory lane, check out the initial releases here.
Major Characters and Their Roles
At the heart of this saga are some of the universe’s heavy hitters. Abaddon the Despoiler, ever the charismatic antagonist, teams up with the enigmatic Vashtorr the Arkifane. Together, they aim to unlock the ultimate weapon, which promises to tip the scales in their favor. And just when things couldn’t get more intense, Lion El’Jonson, the Primarch of the Dark Angels, makes a dramatic return, ready to lead his loyal sons to glory.
The Plot of Arks of Omen
Key Story Arcs
The Arks of Omen series is a rollercoaster of epic proportions. Abaddon and Vashtorr’s quest for the mysterious “Key to the Lock” takes them across the galaxy, facing off against Imperium forces, xenos threats, and even internal chaos. Each book not only deepens the lore but also adds new layers to the ongoing conflict.
Significant Events and Battles
From the assault on the Dark Angels’ fortress-monastery, The Rock, to the climactic battle on the warped world of Wyrmwood, the Arks of Omen books are packed with action. And let’s not forget the jaw-dropping duel between Lion El’Jonson and the daemon-primarch Angron. It’s like WrestleMania but with more spikes and less spandex.
Boarding Actions: A New Way to Play Warhammer 40k
What are Boarding Actions?
If you thought Warhammer 40k was all about massive armies clashing on open battlefields, think again. Boarding Actions bring the fight inside, turning the claustrophobic corridors of space hulks into your new battleground. Imagine the tension of a heist movie but with power armor and plasma guns.
Rules and Requirements
Boarding Actions are all about tight, tactical skirmishes. Each player brings a 500-point force, focusing on infantry and elites. Forget about tanks and aircraft; this is about who can control the corridors and secure the objectives. You’ll need terrain from sets like “Kill Team: Into the Dark” or the new Boarding Actions terrain set to recreate the cramped, perilous environments these battles thrive in.
Key Units and Models
In this mode, certain units shine brighter than a plasma reactor. Space Marine Eradicators, with their heavy support firepower, and the sneaky T’au Crisis suits (as long as they disable their jetpacks) are just a couple of examples. The rules also make room for some thematic flexibility, allowing certain factions like the Adeptus Arbites to join the fray despite their usual lack of models.
Impact on Gameplay, Strategy, and Tactics
Boarding Actions require a different mindset compared to larger-scale battles. Positioning and room control are key. Each move must be calculated, each door breach planned. It’s a game of cat and mouse where the stakes are your faction’s honor and survival.
Faction-Specific Adjustments
Different factions have their unique advantages in these close-quarters skirmishes. Space Marines can hold objectives with an iron grip, while the nimble Eldar can dart through corridors with lethal efficiency. Understanding these nuances is crucial for mastering Boarding Actions.
Character & Faction Highlights
Abaddon the Despoiler
If there’s one name that strikes fear across the galaxy, it’s Abaddon the Despoiler. This guy isn’t just a Chaos Warmaster; he’s the Chaos Warmaster. Picture a villain so menacing that even his allies are terrified of him. After splitting the galaxy with the Cicatrix Maledictum, Abaddon has set his sights on a new prize, and he’s not playing nice.
Background and Motivations
Abaddon’s story is a tale of relentless ambition. He’s the heir to Horus Lupercal, the original traitor, but unlike his predecessor, Abaddon refuses to be a pawn of the Chaos Gods. His latest scheme, the Arks of Omen, is his grand strategy to finally crush the Imperium without falling into the same traps that ensnared Horus.
- Games Workshop - Warhammer 40,000 - Chaos Space Marines Abaddon The Despoiler
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Role in Arks of Omen
In the Arks of Omen series, Abaddon is the mastermind behind the construction and deployment of these dread space hulks. He’s doling out these monstrous ships to his most trusted warbands, each packed with enough firepower to level planets.
His partnership with Vashtorr the Arkifane adds a new twist, blending daemonic sorcery with ancient technology to create a truly apocalyptic force. If you want to find all of Abaddon’s rules and how to play, check out our guide here!
Vashtorr the Arkifane
Vashtorr isn’t your average daemon. This warp entity is a master of blending flesh and machine, creating abominations that would make even the Mechanicus squirm. Unaligned with any of the four Chaos Gods, Vashtorr is a wild card, and his alliance with Abaddon is one of convenience and mutual benefit.
Character Profile
Vashtorr’s background is shrouded in mystery, but what we do know is enough to send shivers down the spine of any tech-priest. Specializing in the dark art of fusing organic matter with mechanical parts, Vashtorr creates horrifying constructs that blur the line between daemon and machine.
This unique expertise makes him an invaluable ally to Abaddon, who leverages Vashtorr’s skills to build the dreaded Arks of Omen. If you want to find all of Vashtorr’s rules and how to play, check out our guide here!
- Games Workshop - Warhammer 40,000 - Chaos Space Marines: Vashtorr The Arkifane
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Alliances and Enemies
While Vashtorr’s main allegiance is to himself, his current alliance with Abaddon is a game-changer. Together, they’ve created the Arks of Omen, formidable space hulks designed to bring the Imperium to its knees.
However, their partnership is built on mutual benefit rather than loyalty, making it a volatile and dangerous alliance. Vashtorr’s machinations also make him a prime target for the Adeptus Mechanicus and the Grey Knights, who view his creations as an abomination against the natural order.
The Return of Lion El’Jonson
The return of Lion El’Jonson is one of the most significant events in the Arks of Omen saga. As the Primarch of the Dark Angels, his reappearance heralds a new era for the Imperium, and his leadership is crucial in the fight against the Chaos forces.
Historical Significance
Lion El’Jonson was one of the Emperor’s most loyal and powerful sons, a master strategist, and a paragon of martial prowess. His disappearance during the Horus Heresy left a void in the Imperium’s leadership, but his return signifies hope and strength for the beleaguered Empire. His presence is not just a morale booster for the Imperium’s forces but also a significant strategic advantage.
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- This kit comprises 43 plastic components, and is supplied with a 60mm Citadel Round base.
- This miniature is supplied unpainted and requires assembly – we recommend using Citadel Plastic Glue and Citadel Colour paints.
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Impact on the Imperium
Lion El’Jonson’s return could not have come at a better time. With Abaddon and Vashtorr’s forces threatening the very fabric of the Imperium, the Lion’s leadership is desperately needed. His tactical acumen and combat prowess are crucial in countering the Chaos onslaught.
Moreover, his rivalry with the traitor primarchs adds a personal vendetta element to the battles, making the confrontations even more intense and narrative-rich. If you want to find all of the Lion’s rules and how to play, check out our Dark Angel’s guide here!
The Lore Behind the Arks of Omen
To truly appreciate the impact of the Arks of Omen, one must understand the historical context within which these events unfold. Warhammer 40k is a universe steeped in millennia of conflict, betrayal, and dark pacts.
Connection to the Horus Heresy
The Horus Heresy is the cornerstone of Warhammer 40k lore. This galaxy-spanning civil war saw half of the Emperor’s sons turn traitor, leading to a cataclysmic conflict that nearly destroyed the Imperium. Abaddon the Despoiler, the main antagonist in the Arks of Omen series, is a direct legacy of this heresy.
As the heir to Horus, Abaddon seeks to complete his predecessor’s work by overthrowing the Imperium. The Arks of Omen represent his latest and most ambitious attempt to achieve this goal.
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Horus the Warmaster is depicted at the peak of his glory, brandishing the Warmaster’s Talon and the mighty power maul, Worldbreaker. He’s clad in a distinctive suit of Terminator armor called the Serpent’s Scales, looking every bit the legend he is.
Previous Major Events
The Arks of Omen saga doesn’t happen in isolation. It’s part of a broader narrative that includes significant events like the Fall of Cadia, the Great Rift’s creation, and the return of the Primarchs. Each of these events has set the stage for the current conflict, providing a rich tapestry of lore that makes the Warhammer 40k universe so compelling.
Future Implications
With the Arks of Omen setting the stage, the future of Warhammer 40k looks more turbulent than ever. 10th Edition promises to build on these events, introducing new challenges and possibly new factions. Abaddon and Vashtorr’s success in acquiring the Dissonance Engine hints at even darker times ahead for the Imperium, with potential new threats emerging from the warp and beyond.
Potential Narrative Developments
The Warhammer 40k narrative is always evolving, and the Arks of Omen saga is a significant turning point. We can expect further exploration of the new alliances and enmities forged during this period.
The return of Lion El’Jonson also opens up possibilities for new story arcs involving the Primarchs, both loyalist and traitor. As Abaddon continues his quest for galactic domination, the Imperium must adapt and evolve to survive, setting the stage for even more epic battles and dramatic storylines.
Putting it All Together: Arks of Omen
In Warhammer 40k, the Arks of Omen saga stands out as a pivotal series, blending the lore hobbyists love with innovative gameplay. From the cunning strategies of Abaddon and Vashtorr to the heroic return of Lion El’Jonson, these stories influenced the future of the Imperium!
As we look to the future of Warhammer 40k, the implications of the Arks of Omen events promise to shape the narrative and gameplay for years to come, ensuring that the battle for the galaxy remains as thrilling as ever.
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Do you like how Games Workshop is keeping the lore moving with Arks of Omen?
About the Author: John Von Canon
John Von Canon
Job Title: Miniatures & Trading Card Games Writer
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About John Von Cannon: Tabletop gaming since 2016; John joined the Spikey Bits team in 2023 and covers new miniature products, trading card games, and RPGs.
He spends his evenings working at his local game store for the full hobby experience. So if you’re looking for niche and convoluted ways to sneak out a win in your next Commander game or a cool new hobby product for miniatures, he’s your guy.
