I see a lot of people discussing it but whenever I search it's all disjointed everywhere. Mix of books, videogames, tabletop but people talking of characters so I would like to know the proper way to tackle this.

Start here and you’ll be up to speed in about 5 years

Good luck and see you on the other side

Books? I would say Dan Abnett's books are a safe starting place.
Games? Dawn of War: Dark Crusade.

>>716441249 (OP)
Ignore the Horus Heresy book series.
If you play Tabletop read your pirated codex.
If you play games just read the stuff you think is cool.

Ignore the lore of the setting at large.

>>716441637
>>716441807
>>716441910
I'd want to start with games first and then once interest is built I'd hop into the books if possible. My friends were playing the PS5 games and praising it but one look at it and I need a lot more context. I don't mind having to start with 8-bit entries if needed.

i just surfed the wiki

>>716442037
The context is in the books.

>>716441249 (OP)
don't, its all shit

Rogue trader

>>716442037
OK if you're starting with games this is how I'd do it:
Space Marine 1 - quick and easy look into Space Marines, the Imperial Guard (or Astra Militarum whatever they're called now) and Orks and Chaos and how war is waged in 40k
one of the Dawn of War RTS games - superficial but very accurate look into the species and factions of 40k (even though it's a bit dated, no Tyranids and the Necrons are based on outdated lore)
Mechanicus - very similar to XCOM, very good atmosphere and insight into the Adeptus Mechanicus and the cultish side of the Imperium, also better look into Necrons
Darktide - if you want to see how brutal and severe the Imperium is, how it fights internal corruption and just what a shithole it really can be
I'd play something like Rogue Trader only once you're really familiar with the setting.

>>716442037
You won't find much meaningful story in most of the games. Like 95% of the Warhammer 40K story and lore is in the books.

40K is a tabletop game. That's where you're supposed to start. The lore is a mountain of optional content that's supposed to enhance the aesthetic of the game. If you specifically mean video games, just put on Dawn of War 1, because it shows the basic aesthetic of the tabletop.

>>716441249 (OP)
>Games
Pic Related and it's expansions, Space Marine as well will get you the feel for the setting, then either start playing the tabletop (Browser aroudn the versions to see which ones you'd like)

>>716441249 (OP)
https://1d6chan.miraheze.org/wiki/Category:Warhammer_40,000
good luck

>>716441249 (OP)
You begin with Rogue Trader and that's also where you stop since it's the only good one

>>716441249 (OP)
Dow1 is your base. Play it first. It has a bit of everything and has sovl. As for lore, the first 5 HH books are a good overview of how the setting got fucked up, but are also somewhat optional since they are 30k. Outside of that, just find the various Codex books/omnibus books for your desired faction.

Then, if you want more vidya:
If you like space marines
>SM1
>SM2
>Deathwing
>Chaos Gate

If you like aliens and or normal humans:
>Rogue Trader
>Darktide
>Mechanicus

If you like ships:
>Armada 2

>>716442429
>>716443049
>>716443185
>>716443305
>>716443715
Thanks