40k has some insane stories showing just how badass some characters are, but then there are times where GW pushes the plot armor to the max.
Any character that has a model in 40k is pretty much unkillable. It makes sense because what’s the point of using a model that’s “dead?” Plus, nobody likes seeing their favorite lore heroes kick the bucket.
The Top 3 Most Outrageous Plot Armor Stories in 40k
With that said, GW has had to pull some interesting moves to advance the story without anybody dying. Here are our pics for the top 3 most outrageous stories of plot armor in 40k characters.
3. Ragnar Blackmane
There’s a pretty good break down of the fight between Ragnar and Ghazghkull on Reddit by Shaskais. We’re here to talk about what Ragnar went through and just how “unkillable” he is.
This is the story of how Ragnar became a Primaris. Essentially, Ragnar snuck into Ghazghkull’s camp and went five rounds in the ring with the Grimdark Mike Tyson. At the very start of the battle, one of Ragnar’s bros ran in and got caught by the klaw…
One of the Space Wolves charged first at Ghaz outpacing his brothers and for his boldness Ghaz cut him in half casually with his power claw.
Now Ragnar stepped in at this point and started tanking power klaw squeezes. Gazghkull’s power klaw was described as “being able to crumple a Rhino”. However, for whatever reason, Ragnar’s power armor was able to hold long enough to not expose his warm nugety center. Once the fight was over, he has bones from his ribs stabbing into both of his hearts (which by the way can cause instant death or at the very least, heavy hemorrhaging).
Ragnar’s body was mortally wounded. The bones in his body had pierced his hearts. But before succumbing to his wounds, Ragnar lifted Ghaz’s head in victory. Strangely, the expression on Ghaz’s face was that of gleeful triumph.
He then passed out and woke up Primarisized and good as new.
2. Ghazghkull Thraka
Ghazghkull drew the short end of the stick lore-wise in the fight. While Ragnar refused to get turned into something looking like a busted up can of biscuits, Ghazghkull ate the business end of Ragnar’s sword and got his head chopped off. Only AFTER taking bolter rounds to the face at point-blank range.
Ghaz yelled at Ragnar to finish the fight. Ragnar responded by making a massive leap towards Ghaz. As he came down, he sent bolter rounds into the face of Ghaz who lashed out with his Claws. Ghaz grabbed Ragnar and began crushing him but Ragnar was too close and he used his free sword arm to thrust his chainsword into Ghaz’s broken armor right into his neck. As Ragnar sawed off Ghaz’s head, Ghaz gurgled that this is where it starts.
So before getting his head chopped off, he took literal rocket rounds to the face that can turn a normal human being into red mist. There was still enough substance left for Ragnar to chop off too. FINALLY, an Ork that was “smart” by their standards found his head and took it back to work on. Now you have to remember that the Orks are a race that uses the equivalent of grimdark Christmas spirit to have their inventions work. What’s the likelihood that someone with no kind of real training would be able to take someone’s severed head, heal them up, and bring them back to fight even better than before? GW plot armor at its finest.
1. Lucius the Eternal
Lucius is an Emperor’s Children champion and is probably the safest dude in the 40k universe. He’s died over and over and over again but he always comes back in the most horrifying way possible. Lucius is a pretty talented duelist but he’s lost quite a few fights in the past. His plot armor never saved him from dying outright. Instead, it’s always kept him coming back.
Lucius died for the first time in a duel he challenged Cyrius to. But his death caused so much indescribable pleasure that it caught Slaanesh’s attention and resurrected his soul into Cyrius’ body. Cyrius’ face was trapped in his armor that Lucius now wears. Fast forward to the present, whenever Lucius loses a fight and dies, as long as anyone feels the slightest bit of pleasure for the kill, Slaanesh puts Lucius’ soul into the victor and their soul’s face is added to his armor.
From the 40k fandom page on Lucius:
Lucius now stalks the galaxy as an arrogant slaughterer who can never truly be killed. Whoever slays him and takes even a moment of satisfaction from the act will find themselves transforming, slowly and painfully, into Lucius. The twisted, howling visages of those who once killed him writhe within his armor, affording Lucius endless gratification.
He’s everyone’s worst nightmare. If you see him you either die by the sword or you die by having your soul entrapped in his armor. Orks should be especially scared to fight him because of the fact they live off fighting. If Ghazghkull popped him real good, you know he’d love it and the next thing we know, we’d have a Lucius super Ork on our hands.
What Does It Say About How Tough the Emperor Is?
The Emperor may not be as tough as everyone thinks he is. We may be stepping out into the waters of heresy here. But the man has had 10,000 years to rest up. Instead of showing any signs of regeneration, he’s only gotten worse and is starting to look more and more like the shriveled up fish Spongebob tried to sell chocolate to. Let’s not forget that he also eats the souls of 10,000 Psykers daily to keep him going. Except now, his smart chair is starting to fail on him.
All in all, the way GW hands out plot armor in 40k is weird, but it’s a necessary part of moving the story along.
What do you think about how these guys stay alive in 40k? Is the Rubicon Primaris the new copout answer for dying characters? What’s another good story of 40k plot armor coming in clutch?
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About the Author: Wesley Floyd
Wesley Floyd
Job Title: Staff Writer
Joined: 2018
Socials:@RealmbrushPainting
Bio: Imperial fanboy, tabletop fanatic, and the self-proclaimed King of Sprues. Wes has been in the Warhammer hobby since 2015 and joined the Spikey Bits writing team in 2018. He knows for a fact that Mephiston red is the best-tasting paint and is the commission painting equivalent of a Wendy’s 4 for $4.
If you like what he writes and want to reach out or get your models painted (to a mostly okayish standard), message him on Instagram.
