The Independent Characters | Warhammer 40k Podcast

What does it really take to stage a true Apocalypse game in the modern era of Warhammer 40,000? In this episode of The Independent Characters, we tackle "Staging the Apocalypse" - a deep dive into running cinematic mega-battles at 3,000+ points per side without letting the game grind to a halt. We will talk about how to make colossal games feel epic rather than exhausting, and we break down ideas on how to design, structure, and pace large-scale narrative events so every turn stays snappy and every player stays engaged. From table setup and activation structure to personal objectives and dramatic end-game triggers, we explore how to think like a Game Master instead of a tournament organizer. How do you handle Titans and super-heavies without drowning in dice rolls? And how do you end a mega-battle with a cinematic conclusion rather than fatigue on turn three? We share practical tools, hard-earned lessons, and the philosophy behind making these games unforgettable. We also address the big question: how do you run Apocalypse-style events now that Games Workshop no longer actively supports the format? With the right mindset and a willingness to simplify, narrative mega-battles may be more accessible, and more rewarding than ever.
Time Stamps:
0:00:00 - Show Intro, Elite Choice, Hobby Progress, and Games Played
0:59:50 - Staging the Apocalypse: Part 1
1:35:10 - Staging the Apocalypse: Part 2
2:12:55 - Final Discussion and Show Closing
Relevant Links:
The Independent Characters Patreon
Tablewar! - SPONSOR
Herrick Games & Hobbies - SPONSOR
Goonhammer Media Network
Painted Figs
Adepticon
Games Workshop
The Black Library

Episode 273 of The Independent Characters is headed straight into the Legends Graveyard - that strange, dusty corner of Warhammer 40,000 where beloved units go when they're retired from active service. In this episode, we take a look at what it really means for a unit to be moved to Legends status, what restrictions come with it, and why it can feel like a gut punch to longtime hobbyists… even when it makes sense from a rules and balance perspective. If you've ever stared at a shelf full of classic models and wondered "Can I still play these?", this episode's for you. We also dig into where Legends units still shine brightest: narrative games, campaigns, Crusade, and casual play - and how a quick pre-game conversation can keep things fun, fair, and cinematic. Along the way we share our Top 3 Legends units we wish had stayed in the game, and our Bottom 3 that we're honestly kind of relieved to see retired. Finally, we zoom out and talk about what Legends means long-term for Games Workshop's approach to older models, and what it signals about the future of Warhammer 40,000.
 
Time Stamps:
0:00:00 - Show Intro, Elite Choice, Hobby Progress, and Games Played
0:58:25 - The Graveyard of Legends: Part 1
1:24:00 - The Graveyard of Legends: Part 2
2:12:25 - Final Discussion and Show Closing
Relevant Links:
The Independent Characters Patreon
Tablewar! - SPONSOR
Herrick Games & Hobbies - SPONSOR
Goonhammer Media Network
Adepticon
Games Workshop
The Black Library

In episode 272, Carl and Josh crack open The Aranthian Succession - Cinderak Burning, the opening salvo in a multi-episode series exploring how Necromunda's story is being pulled forward and woven more tightly into the modern Warhammer 40,000 timeline. This book doesn't just advance the plot—it reshapes the balance of power in the underhive, and sets the stage for a sector-wide reckoning that longtime lore fans will immediately feel.
In the first half of the show, we focus squarely on the narrative: the political upheaval of the Aranthian Succession, the rising tensions within Hive Primus, and what the burning of Cinderak means for the future of Necromunda, and its place in the wider Imperium. This is classic Necromunda storytelling, but told with a sharper eye toward the present 40K era, bridging gaps and modernizing the setting.
The back half of the episode shifts gears into the tabletop, breaking down the rules updates, campaign systems, and new tools this book brings to Necromunda players. Whether you're running a long-form campaign or just curious how these changes impact the game going forward, we've got you covered. And while Adan wasn't available for this episode, don't panic! His return is imminent. The Succession has only just begun, and there's a lot more to come.
 
Time Stamps:
0:00:00 - Show Intro, Elite Choice, Hobby Progress, and Games Played
0:24:30 - Cinderak Burning: Part 1
1:02:15 - Cinderak Burning: Part 2
1:33:40 - Final Discussion and Show Closing
Relevant Links:
The Independent Characters Patreon
Tablewar! - SPONSOR
Herrick Games & Hobbies - SPONSOR
Goonhammer Media Network
Adepticon
Games Workshop
The Black Library

Episode 271 of The Independent Characters is our annual 2025 Warhammer Year in Review, and it's all about taking a breath, looking back, and celebrating another packed year in the hobby. We dig into our favorite releases of 2025 across games, models, and supplements, talk about what really landed for us at the table, and reflect on the trends that shaped how we played, painted, and engaged with Warhammer this year. As always, the conversation goes beyond just "what came out," touching on how these releases impacted our enjoyment of the hobby and the broader community.
This episode also marks the long-awaited return of Josh, who jumps right back into the mix and brings his perspective, enthusiasm, and sharp takes to the discussion. While Adan was originally slated to join us, a scheduling mix-up kept him from making the recording – but don't worry, he's very much part of the wrap-up. We'll be closing out 2025 properly with Adan in a special Patreon episode coming soon, where we'll finish the year together and add even more reflection to an already memorable season.
Episode 271 is equal parts retrospective, celebration, and setup for what's next – a fitting way to close the book on 2025 and get ready for whatever the next year of Warhammer throws at us.
We hope you enjoy!
Time Stamps:
0:00:00 – Show Intro, Elite Choice, Hobby Progress, and Games Played
0:58:45 – 2025 Warhammer Year in Review Part 1
1:28:20 – 2025 Warhammer Year in Review Part 2
1:56:40 – Final Discussion and Show Closing
Relevant Links:
The Independent Characters Patreon
Tablewar! – SPONSOR
Herrick Games & Hobbies – SPONSOR
Goonhammer Media Network
Adepticon
Games Workshop
The Black Library

In Episode 270 of The Independent Characters, we bring our monumental exploration of Titans to a close by venturing beyond the Imperium to the heretical, alien, and utterly bizarre god-engines that stalk the galaxy. In this second part of our two-part series, we delve into the corrupted Chaos Titans of the Dark Mechanicum - twisted reflections of their loyalist kin whose Machine Spirits have long since merged with the daemonic will of the Warp. From Iconoclasts and Infernals to the infamous Daemon Engines of the Traitor Legios, we examine how the powers of the Warp reshape these once-holy engines into entities of madness and malice.

But the galaxy's gods of war are not limited to humanity's machines. We turn our attention to the Xenos Titans, the elegant, wraithbone Aeldari Phantoms and Revenants, the ramshackle yet terrifying Ork Gargants, and even the living, bio-engineered horrors of the Tyranids that serve as their own monstrous equivalents. Each race has its own vision of what it means to command destruction on a titanic scale, and their designs reveal as much about their cultures as their weapons do about their wars.

On the tabletop, we explore how these colossal war engines appear across games like Warhammer 40,000, Horus Heresy, Adeptus Titanicus, and Legions Imperialis, comparing their aesthetics, rules, and battlefield impact. Whether it's a Gargant's laughter echoing through the smoke, an Aeldari Titan striding like a ghost through reality, or a corrupted Warlord roaring praise to the Dark Gods, each represents a unique expression of power at its most absolute.
We hope you enjoy this episode!

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Show Intro, Elite Choice, Hobby Progress
0:26:00 - Engines of The Apocalypse (Part 2): Xenos & Chaos Titans - Part 1
1:06:10 - Engines of The Apocalypse (Part 2): Xenos & Chaos Titans - Part 2
1:41:35 - Final Thoughts and show closing

Relevant Links:

The Independent Characters Patreon
Tablewar! - SPONSOR
Herrick Games & Hobbies - SPONSOR
Goonhammer
War on The Shore 2026
Adepticon
Games Workshop
The Black Library