The Lost Primarchs remain one of Warhammer 40k’s greatest mysteries; let’s uncover their fate, secrets, and the clues hidden (and missing) within the Imperium’s dark past.
Updated January 24th, 2025, by Rob Baer with new information, what happened to them, and links to relevant content.
The Lost Primarchs—just saying the name sparks curiosity, right? These missing figures have fueled speculation for years, leaving fans to piece together fragments of lore, whispers, and wild theories. What really happened to them? Were they erased from history for unspeakable crimes, or is there something far more sinister at play?
The Warhammer 40k universe is packed with legends, but few mysteries captivate the imagination quite like the Lost Primarchs. Despite countless hints scattered across codices and novels, the truth remains just out of reach. Whether you’re new to the lore or have been speculating for ages, there’s always something more to dig into.
From cryptic references in Imperial records to the theories that keep forums buzzing, let’s take a closer look at the evidence and possibilities behind their fate. Are you ready to sift through the shadows of the Imperium’s past and see what secrets lie beneath? Keep reading—things are about to get interesting.
Introduction
The mystery surrounding the lost primarchs has kept Warhammer 40K fans guessing for years. The Imperium of Man doesn’t exactly hand out straight answers, and when it comes to these missing figures, things get even murkier.
Were they disgraced? Did they turn against the Emperor? Or were they simply too dangerous to remember? The lack of concrete information has only fueled speculation, and the whispers in the lore just add to the intrigue.
Brief Overview of the Warhammer 40k Universe
Warhammer 40k isn’t just a setting; it’s a massive, brutal, and often confusing mix of war, politics, and betrayal. At its core is the Imperium of Man, an empire stretched across countless worlds, held together by the might of the Emperor and his genetically engineered warriors, the primarchs.
Each of these beings was designed to be a perfect leader, guiding the Emperor’s armies through the stars. But things didn’t exactly go to plan. Chaos had its own ideas, and now the galaxy is stuck in an endless cycle of war and paranoia.
The Importance of Primarchs
Primarchs aren’t just larger-than-life figures—they are practically demigods in the Warhammer 40k universe. Their presence shapes entire legions, and their influence is felt long after they’re gone. So when two of them mysteriously vanish from history, it’s not just a footnote; it’s a massive red flag.
Why would the Imperium go to such lengths to erase all traces of them? Were they failures? Were they traitors? Whatever the reason, their disappearance isn’t something the Imperium likes to talk about, and that silence speaks volumes.
From vague references in official lore to fan theories that dig into the darkest corners of the setting, the missing primarchs remain one of the most fascinating pieces of the Warhammer 40K puzzle.
Theories and Speculations
The lost primarchs have always been a hot topic among Warhammer 40K fans. With so little information available, speculation has become a pastime of its own. Some think these mysterious figures were removed from history for committing unspeakable acts, while others argue they were simply too powerful or unpredictable for the Imperium to control.
The lack of official details has only made the mystery more intriguing, leaving plenty of room for theories ranging from the plausible to the downright wild.
Official Canon Versus Fan Theories
When it comes to the lost Primarchs, the official lore isn’t exactly generous with details. The Warhammer 40K universe is notorious for leaving gaps, and this particular subject is one of the biggest. Official sources hint at their existence, referencing them in fragmented dialogue and deleted records, but never giving the full story.
This lack of clarity has fueled a wide range of fan theories, some of which have taken on a life of their own. Whether the truth lies somewhere in between or is locked away in Games Workshop’s vaults is anyone’s guess.
Popular Theories on Lost and Missing Primarchs
Among the most discussed theories, one suggests that the missing primarchs fell to Chaos before the Horus Heresy even began. If true, their betrayal could have been so catastrophic that the Emperor had no choice but to erase them from history completely.
Another popular idea is that they were deemed unfit for command, leading to their quiet removal and suppression of their legacies. There are even theories that suggest they survived but were exiled to distant corners of the galaxy, still out there, waiting to be found.
Some fans have gone as far as to connect the lost primarchs to the missing legions, speculating that their fates were intertwined with the erasure of entire armies. It’s the kind of mystery that keeps people coming back, scouring every scrap of lore for new clues.
The Purging of Legions
The disappearance of not just the Primarchs but their entire legions raises even more questions. The Second and Eleventh Legions were wiped from official records, their existence reduced to whispered rumors and obscure footnotes.
Whatever they did—or whatever was done to them—was clearly severe enough to warrant complete eradication. Some believe these legions were purged due to corruption, while others think they might have been too radical or dangerous for the Imperium to control.
With no records of their accomplishments, failures, or even their names, it’s easy to see why the lost primarchs continue to stir curiosity. The silence surrounding them almost makes it seem like their story is more important than the Imperium would like anyone to know.
Exile or Betrayal
If there’s one question that keeps Warhammer 40k fans up at night, it’s whether the lost primarchs were exiled for a noble reason or cast out as traitors. Some speculate that they were sent away to protect them—or others—from their own destructive potential. Others argue they might have walked away willingly, refusing to align with the Emperor’s vision for the Imperium.
One thing is clear: whatever happened to them, it was bad enough to wipe them from existence. Whether they’ll ever return to the story or remain a mystery is anyone’s guess.
The Concept of Lost Primarchs
The lost primarchs have always been one of the biggest mysteries in Warhammer 40K. They were meant to be legendary warriors, each leading their own Space Marine legion, yet two of them vanished from history with barely a trace.
Official records? Scrubbed. In-game mentions? Vague at best. It’s almost like they never existed—except, of course, they did. Their absence from the story raises a lot of questions, and the lack of answers only makes things more interesting. Were they failures? Were they too dangerous? Or did they walk away on their own terms?
The idea of something so significant being erased from the Imperium’s records makes the lost primarchs even more intriguing. If they were just minor footnotes, why go to such lengths to remove them? This gap in history keeps fans guessing and fuels endless speculation about what really happened.
Definition of Lost and Missing Primarchs
The terms “lost primarchs” and “missing primarchs” get thrown around a lot, but what do they really mean? Technically, all primarchs were “lost” at some point after being scattered across the galaxy by the forces of Chaos.
Each one landed on a different world, grew up under unique circumstances, and eventually reunited with the Emperor. But the lost primarchs? They’re in a different category entirely. These two were removed so thoroughly from history that even their names have been wiped clean.
Calling them “missing” might sound like they’re just misplaced, but it’s far more deliberate than that. The Imperium doesn’t misplace things—it erases them. There are no statues, no records, and only cryptic remarks from other primarchs to suggest they ever existed at all. Whatever happened, it wasn’t a simple case of getting lost in the shuffle.
The Role of Legends and Myths in Their Story
With so little concrete information available, myths and legends have filled the gaps left by the Imperium’s silence. Some say the lost primarchs committed crimes so terrible that their entire legacies were erased.
Others suggest they turned against the Emperor long before the Horus Heresy and were dealt with quietly to avoid shaking the Imperium’s foundations. Then there are the wild theories—the ones that place them in distant galaxies, ruling hidden empires or fighting endless wars far from the Emperor’s reach.
Legends often have a way of twisting the truth, and in a universe as vast and chaotic as Warhammer 40k, it’s hard to separate fact from fiction. The lost primarchs have become larger than life, their absence giving them an almost mythical status. It’s easy to imagine them as tragic figures, forgotten heroes, or even lingering threats waiting for the right moment to resurface.
No matter how far-fetched the theories get, the fascination with the lost primarchs continues to grow. Whether their story will ever be fully revealed is anyone’s guess, but until then, the myths surrounding them will only get bigger.
Origins and Background
The Lost Primarchs are one of the greatest mysteries in Warhammer 40K, and their story starts at the very beginning with the Emperor’s grand vision. The primarchs were never meant to be ordinary—they were designed to be extraordinary, each embodying a unique trait that would make them the perfect leaders of the Imperium’s expansion across the galaxy.
But something, or someone, had other plans. Chaos, never one to sit back and let things unfold peacefully, scattered the primarchs across different worlds before they could even take their first steps under the Emperor’s watchful eye.
While most of them were eventually found and given command of their legions, two have been erased from history so thoroughly that even their names are gone. The Imperium doesn’t just forget its heroes, which leaves only one conclusion—something happened that made their existence an embarrassment, a threat, or both.
Creation of the Primarchs
The Emperor poured his genius, ambition, and a touch of the Warp into creating the primarchs. Each was meant to lead a Space Marine legion, bringing unity and order to the stars. With their superhuman abilities and larger-than-life personalities, they were more than just warriors; they were icons of what humanity could achieve.
But then came the unexpected—the forces of Chaos intervened, scattering the primarchs across the galaxy. Most of them were found, raised under wildly different circumstances, and brought back into the fold. But what about the lost primarchs?
The fact that their names and legions were completely erased suggests their fate was something the Imperium wanted to forget. Whether it was betrayal, failure, or something worse, their absence speaks volumes.
The Great Crusade and Their Initial Missions
Once the primarchs were reunited with the Emperor, they set out on the Great Crusade—a grand campaign to reclaim the galaxy for humanity. Each led their legion with a unique style, leaving their mark on countless battlefields. The lost primarchs were no exception. Records show that they fought alongside their brothers, expanding the Imperium’s reach and crushing enemies of mankind.
But at some point, things took a turn. The Lost Primarchs and their legions vanished from records, with only vague references remaining. Were they too independent? Did they stray too far from the Emperor’s vision? Or was their fate tied to something more sinister? Speculation runs wild, with theories ranging from tragic accidents to full-blown rebellions that would have made the Horus Heresy look tame.
One thing is certain—when the Emperor decided to erase them, he did it thoroughly. Statues removed, records purged, and their legions either reassigned or destroyed. Whatever happened, it was serious enough to leave even their surviving brothers unwilling to speak of them, hinting at something too dark or too shameful for the Imperium to acknowledge.
Implications of Their Existence
The lost primarchs are more than just a forgotten footnote in Warhammer 40K history—they represent a colossal gap in the Imperium’s legacy. Their removal from records wasn’t done lightly, which raises the question: what were they hiding?
Their existence suggests that even the Emperor’s grand plan wasn’t perfect. Mistakes were made, and they were significant enough to warrant total erasure.
This omission adds an element of uncertainty to the Imperium’s narrative. If two primarchs could be erased so completely, what else is being kept under wraps? The thought lingers that the Imperium, for all its might and control, is standing on foundations that aren’t as solid as they appear.
Their absence also introduces a level of tension—were they traitors? Were they too powerful to control? These questions leave room for endless speculation and add to the grim mystery that surrounds the Imperium’s past.
Influence on the Current Warhammer 40K Narrative
Even though they’ve been scrubbed from official records, the lost primarchs still cast a long shadow over Warhammer 40K. Their absence is a reminder that the Imperium is far from the all-knowing, all-powerful entity it claims to be. The hints and whispers left behind continue to intrigue players and readers alike, keeping the door open for new revelations.
Theories surrounding them shape fan discussions and even influence the way new stories unfold. Some believe they might return, bringing with them secrets that could shake the Imperium to its core.
Others argue that their story is better left untold, allowing the mystery to fuel imagination and speculation for years to come. Either way, their existence adds another layer to the already complex and chaotic world of Warhammer 40k.
How They Affect the Dynamics Among the Remaining Primarchs
The remaining primarchs, despite their legendary status, aren’t exactly a united front. Each of them carries their own burdens, and the loss of two of their brothers is something that clearly weighs on them—even if they refuse to talk about it.
There are hints in the lore suggesting that the remaining primarchs know far more about their missing siblings than they let on. Some seem troubled by the memory, while others avoid the topic entirely, as if discussing it might stir up things best left forgotten.
This silence has fueled speculation about how the lost primarchs might have influenced key events. Did their downfall set a precedent for the later betrayals that led to the Horus Heresy? Did their absence create tensions within the remaining legions? The relationships between the surviving primarchs were complex enough without the looming presence of missing brothers hanging over them.
Their erasure forces the remaining primarchs to carry on with an unspoken burden, adding to the weight of the Imperium’s darkest secrets. Whether it’s guilt, regret, or fear, the missing primarchs remain an unspoken presence among their brothers, shaping decisions and actions in ways that may never be fully revealed.
Conclusion on the Missing Primarchs
The mystery surrounding certain figures in Warhammer 40K has been one of the most talked-about topics in the lore. With so much secrecy surrounding their fate, fans have been left to piece together fragments of information scattered across codices, novels, and whispered references. Were they truly erased for their crimes, or was their disappearance something even the Emperor couldn’t control?
FAQs
Which primarchs are lost?
Ah, the infamous missing primarchs—every Warhammer 40K fan’s favorite unsolved mystery. The 2nd and 11th primarchs are the ones who got the axe from Imperial history. Their names, deeds, and entire legions were erased so thoroughly that even the other primarchs barely mention them.
It’s like they never existed… except, of course, they did. The big question is: were they colossal failures, tragic losses, or just too much trouble for the Imperium to handle? The only solid answer we have is that their story has been wiped clean—because apparently, even the Emperor wanted to forget they ever happened.
Who killed the 2nd and 11th primarchs?
Good question! The official lore has never straight-up said who (or even if) they were killed. The silence around them suggests that something really bad went down—bad enough to erase them from existence entirely.
Some theories point fingers at the Emperor himself, while others whisper about the possibility that their own brothers might have had a hand in their downfall. And then there’s always Chaos lurking in the background, ready to corrupt anything it touches. The truth? It’s locked away tighter than the Emperor on his golden throne.
Is there 20 or 21 primarchs?
Officially, there were 20 primarchs. The Emperor created them, Chaos scattered them, and eventually, 18 were recovered. The 2nd and 11th? Well, they were conveniently scrubbed from the record books.
Some fans like to speculate that there might have been an extra, super-secret primarch lurking in the shadows, but as far as the official story goes, the number sits at 20. Of course, with all the twists and turns in the lore, who knows what surprises might be lurking in the future?
Who is the 13th Legion in Warhammer 40K?
The 13th Legion is none other than the Ultramarines, led by the poster boy of the Imperium, Roboute Guilliman. Known for their strict discipline, tactical genius, and just a tiny bit of smugness, the Ultramarines are pretty much the gold standard of Space Marine legions.
If there’s a right way to wage war, you can bet the Ultramarines have written an entire book about it (and made sure everyone else knows it, too). They’re the backbone of the Imperium, and Guilliman’s return in recent lore has only cemented their reputation as one of the most important forces in the galaxy.
Final Thoughts
The mystery around these lost figures leaves plenty of room for imagination. Were they destroyed in some forgotten war, or did they walk away from the Imperium altogether? Could they still be out there, biding their time in the shadows? These questions have led to endless discussions, and the theories range from reasonable to outrageous.
There’s something exciting about a mystery that refuses to be solved, and this one sits at the heart of Warhammer 40K lore. Whether it’s speculation on their fates or hopes for their return, the missing pieces keep fans invested and curious. What do you think happened? The debate is far from over.
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What do you think happened to the missing and Lost Primarchs? Do you think they were exiled or destroyed?
About the Author: Travis Pasch
Travis Pasch
Job Title: Head Writer & Editor
Socials: @paschbass
About Travis Pasch: Travis has been a Warhammer 40k hobbyist since the 1990s, playing the game since Third Edition. Through extensive traveling, he’s seen a lot of the miniatures hobby from across the world, giving him a unique perspective on the latest gaming topics and trends.
Travis’s brother even owns a commission painting studio, where he’s picked up a lot of good advice and techniques for painting Warhammer and tabletop miniatures over the years, as well. Travis joined the Spikey Bits team in 2019 and has been the lead writer since 2020.
Currently, he’s working on converting all his 40k Adeptus Mechanicus models and becoming a true tech enjoyer, complete with both sad and happy robot noises!
