In the grim darkness of the far future, there is only war. This iconic line originated from Warhammer 40K, and after understanding the races and conflicts from that universe, it is easy to see why.
Mechanical Terminators wander the cosmos in search of galactic domination while humans are worshipping a dead man from millennia ago. Few universes can convey a sense of grimdark fantasy like 40K can. At the same time, this setting grants the perfect excuse for epic characters and battles to take place. Whether you are fighting green humanoids or space elves, here are all the races in 40K lore ranked from weakest to strongest. This list will be discussing strength from a lore perspective rather than from the tabletop game.
Updated on May 23, 2023 by Matt Arnold: The newest edition of Warhammer 40k is expected this summer, so now is a great time to re-assess the balance of power in the galaxy! We've adjusted this list to be in keeping with the most recent Warhammer canon, from updated terminology to merging species sub-factions.
8 Aeldari
The Aeldari once ruled over the entire galaxy, and their mastery of both mysticism and technology could, if history had gone a different way, have kept them on top. As it is, however, the Aeldari are fragmented and dying thanks to their hubris in ages past.
The Aeldari consist of several smaller groups, from the noble Asuryani to the marauding Drukhari, each too small to have a major impact on the galaxy at large. Even if the Aeldari were to reunite, their dwindling numbers would make any cause that they rallied behind the last gasp of a dying people.
7 T'au
The T'au are the youngest sentient species on the galactic stage, having quickly developed sleek, highly advanced technology. While they seek to promote the "Greater Good," they're just as oppressive as the other factions in the 41st Millennium, enforcing a rigid caste system on their people.
Though the T'au Empire is quickly outgrowing its small corner of the galaxy, they have a long way to go before they can truly contend with the might of older, more established factions.
6 Necrons
Necrons are space Terminators that worship the C'tan gods responsible for their mechanical state and the function of most machines. Their technology is simply unrivaled by any other faction.
The Necrons were dormant in their stasis-tombs for close to sixty million human years!
Necrons can destroy enemies at a molecular level with their Gauss weapons, all the while taking untold amounts of punishment with their metallic skeletons that are powered by their souls. As with most factions in 40K, the Necrons want nothing more than all factions to be exterminated and control every inch of the galaxy for themselves. It is a slow process, however, as they must be reawakened from their ancient slumber to fight for their cause. Very few are awake to fight in the galactic war, but the few who do fight are terrifying. If the Necrons ever fully reawaken from their ancient slumber, it would very likely lead to a galactic mass extinction.
5 Humans
The Imperium of Man is a monolithic, fascist theocracy whose power reaches across almost the entire galaxy. They boast an enormous military, from Astra Militarum conscripts to the genetically-enhanced Space Marines, and their secret police - the Inquisition - are feared by human and alien alike.
Despite their enormous influence, the Imperium is a civilization in decline. Infighting, dogma, and outdated technology have been eating away at the Imperium's foundations for millennia, and it's only a matter of time before it all comes crashing down.
4 Chaos Daemons
If there is any single source of the galaxy's ills, the Chaos Gods and their daemonic minions are the chief contenders for the title. They exist in an alternate dimension called the Warp, and while the Necrons seek the destruction of life, Chaos wants to tear apart reality itself.
The corruptive influence of Chaos destroyed the Aeldari Empire, fomented a civil war that tore the Imperium apart and brought about the current dark age, and constantly prey on psykers of every species. Nowhere in the galaxy is truly safe from the perils of the Warp, and as the universe trends toward entropy, the Chaos Gods believe that their eventual victory is assured.
3 Tyranids
The Tyranids are a hive-mind of carnivorous killing machines whose only purpose seems to be consuming biomass and spawning more Tyranids. When a Tyranid Swarm passes through a system, entire planets are stripped bare of organic matter and converted into miasma-covered wastelands.
The Tyranids have long been considered instinct-driven animals, but recent developments suggest that their shared consciousness is intelligent and capable of planning. The Hive Mind has begun sending humanoid specimens to inhabited planets, building cults of human-Tyranid hybrids to weaken the system's defenses. Whether the Tyranids were always this cunning or have evolved, this new capability is terrifying.
2 Orks
Orks are a species of buff, green humanoids that live only for battle and have no regard for their own safety.
What makes Orks different is how determined they are to kill. If they aren't fighting others, they fight amongst themselves to grow stronger.
As a species, they have a latent psionic potential that allows Orks to make anything they believe become reality. They can take the remains of armor and turn it into a fully functioning rifle because they believe it will work. The most famous Orkish belief is that painting a vehicle red will "make it go fasta," and despite all logical reason, it works for them.
When the Orks are united behind a warlord sufficiently powerful to command their respect, the resulting campaign - called simply a WAAAGH! - is a lesson in the power of overwhelming numbers. A fungoid species, Orks emit spores when they die, potentially leading to the rise of a new Ork tribe even if the initial invasion is repelled.
1 C'Tan
It's hard to deny beings that are considered gods, and the C'tan are called the Star Gods for a reason. Their physical form has never been documented fully, but they are known to spread themselves over the surface of a star and feed off of its energy.
Many consider them to be the oldest intelligent life-forms in the galaxy and legends speak of them being born of gas and energy at the very beginning of the universe's creation. Whatever the truth of their origins, a single C'tan can obliterate entire armies with little effort. Fortunately for the rest of the galaxy, for now they seem content to only partially manifest to aid their Necron servants, when doing so serves their ends.