Explore every episode of the podcast The History of 40k
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Episode 1 - Warhammer 40K 2nd edition (really 1st edition). What it was, how it played and more | 02 Jul 2025 | 00:48:33 | |
Today we are joined by Brian Horton who has been playing the game since the launch of 2nd edition. In a time long long ago, where phones were not mobile, print media was king, and most all TV was boring (not everything is better). Brian joins us to discuss Warhammer 40K 2nd edition, what it was like picking it up, how it played and more. On our first ever episode we discuss what the History of 40K is. what the show will be about, and the topics we plan on discussing. We then do a personal one about our journeys into the game. With a breakdown of how we started the game and what we love about it. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| Episode 0 - What this show is and what it is about. | 27 Jun 2025 | 00:28:16 | |
On our first ever episode we discuss what the History of 40K is. what the show will be about, and the topics we plan on discussing. We then do a personal one about our journeys into the game. With a breakdown of how we started the game and what we love about it. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| Episode 2 - Buying, building, painting in 2nd edition. | 16 Jul 2025 | 00:51:25 | |
Today on the history of 40K we talk about the act of picking up the game of 2nd edition 40K. How you found playing partners, where you learned the game. We also talk about the physical game itself. From a era long forgotten of mail order catalogs and magazines. Also what you do when the models arrived how to build them, paint them, and where to go for advice on such things. So join us on a deep dive into a forgotten era of the world pre-internet. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| Episode 3 - The Opening of 3rd edition, the new, the strange, and the dumb | 30 Jul 2025 | 00:51:47 | |
On today's episode we cover the opening of 3rd edition for 40K. Namely we dive into what has changed from the 2nd edition into 3rd (less dice yay!!). How the game improved as as result and the new ways that players found to make the game broken of course. We also take quite a few trips down memory lane to rules and mechanics that are long gone, as they were a tad bit abusable. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| Episode 4 - 3rd edition - The Core Rules | 13 Aug 2025 | 01:06:39 | |
On today's episode we talk about the rule book rules of 3rd edition. How the game was played at each phase. We focus on how these rules are different from 2nd edition and how some have translated to modern 10th edition, and also how many are happily long gone. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| Episode 5 - Seriously some 4th edition data sheets were crazy OP | 27 Aug 2025 | 00:56:24 | |
On today’s episode we talk about the some of the datasheets from 3rd edition. Doing deep dives into some of the craziness of the Blood Angels, Eldar, and Catachan Jungle fighters. With some fun trips down memory lane into why no named characters were allowed in the edition. You could buy them, you just could not play with them. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| Episode 6 - 4th Edition rules pt 1. | 10 Sep 2025 | 01:02:22 | |
On today's cast we jump into one of the best editions of the game, the 4th edition. On today's cast we cover the changes to the rules from 4th such as line of sight, target priority, new weapon variations, and some of the new interactions in the melee phase. With lots of trips down memory lane on fun and humerus (depending which side you were on) interactions on the table top. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| Episode 7 - 4th edition tournament play and some crazy data sheets. | 24 Sep 2025 | 00:47:51 | |
On today’s episode we dive into the competitive play of 4th edition. We open with how the tournament play was structured, where the missions came from (the TO’s!) how you won, and some fun stories. We then jump into some of the epic data sheets of some of the most famous/infamous units. With a deep dive into some of the hilarity of the rules of this era. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| Episode 8 - 5th edition core rules | 08 Oct 2025 | 00:48:40 | |
Join us as we drive down memory lane with a review of the core rules released as part of 5th edition for Warhammer 40k. Hoo boy some of these were not great ideas. Oh and the global financial crash was not going to help. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| Sorry, but no episode this week | 22 Oct 2025 | 00:00:16 | |
Due to some health challenges, we were unable to get the show recorded for this week. We apologize and will endeavor to make sure this never happens again. our bad. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| Episode 9 - 5th edition's spicey and pseudo busted units | 29 Oct 2025 | 00:51:05 | |
On today’s episode we dive into the competitive play of 5th edition. After a brief recap of the global implications of 2008 financial crisis on GW in general we jump right into the units and game play itself. With fun things like spreading wounds across Nob Bikers, leaf-blowing guard lists with templates stacking into other templates, hiding inside walls at Nova? And more. Join us on a wild trip down memory lane into some truly busted but also hilarious bits. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| Episode 10 - 6th edition pt1 - was this actually worse than 7th? | 12 Nov 2025 | 00:50:05 | |
On today’s episode we dive into the nightmare that was 6th edition. Sure being able to advance was an great asset to the game, as was 2D6 charge. But then there was the addition of the snap shot, which started great (yay we can shoot heavy weapons) and became terrible (units that can only be hit on 6’s). We then jump into how the edition began to get rough, with Daemon flying circus, flyers in general, psychic powers from hell, and more. Jump in and join us on a trip down maybe not the happiest memory lane. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| Episode 12 - 7th Edition pt 1 - dear god why GW! why? | 10 Dec 2025 | 00:48:59 | |
On today’s episode we go into the great boogyman that was 7th edition of 40k. Jumping in two feet first with allies (why would you ever write rules for here comes the apocalypse? Just why?) Then psychic power nightmares, flyers, rerolls, formations and more. Jump in this is hilarious and fun (only because we never have to play the edition ever again). Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| Episode 11 - 6th edition: Forge World, Airplanes, Challenges, and the death of melee | 26 Nov 2025 | 00:50:45 | |
On today’s episode we spend more time on 6th edition the rules and units that made it what it was. From dumb terrain pieces like the fortress of redemption (was basically insta banned), to even worse flyer formations (good job Alan), and Forgeworld in general. Note* Forgeworld is a big issue in both 6th and 7th as the people over there went hog wild with the product. After that we spend time on the great concept but terrible idea challenges. But we do then talk a bit about the greatest Ork weapons of all time, the lifta droppa and custom stompa. From there we go over all the things that made melee in effect useless in the edition, and close out preparing for the great apocalypse that is 7th edition. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| Episode 13 - 7th Edition pt 2 - At least the all new psychic phase was fair and well balanced... | 24 Dec 2025 | 00:52:25 | |
On today’s episode we continue our dive into the great bogyman that was 7th edition of 40k, with a focus on the core mechanics. What has changed from 6th and what has changed the same. With an obvious focus on the new and brutal psychic phase of the game. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| Episode 14 - 7th edition Forge world, Force Orgs, and Formations. One was great, one was cool, and one shall never be spoken of again. | 07 Jan 2026 | 00:49:24 | |
On today’s episode we finalize our jump (for now) into the great 7th edition. Jumping around a bit between forge world hilarity, the great idea that was force org charts, and the destruction of said force org charts with formations. With some special focus on units that really made waves (and were subsequently banned). Enjoy! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| Episode 16 - 8th edition the core rules have some MASSIVE changes to the game | 04 Feb 2026 | 00:51:38 | |
On today’s episode we continue our coverage of 8th edition with a review of the core rules. From the addition of movement to data sheets, the improved psychic phase, and wonky new line of sight (character targeting was odd). We also then jump into charge and fight phases, and close out on the completely reworked moral phase (really sucked to be horde). Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| Episode 15 - 8th edition arrives to save the game pt 1 - initial reactions and some oopsies | 21 Jan 2026 | 00:43:32 | |
On today’s episode we jump into the savior of the game 8th edition! But with a focus on its release which, despite the issues of 7th was met with a lot of trepidation. Which was somewhat valid because like Cyberpunk it was very buggy at release. We go though the end of templates, armor rating, and the first in 20 years index-hammer! But we also got stratagems, crazy allies, and one busted codex after another. So join us for a jump down memory lane of 8th edition 40k! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| Episode 17 - 8th edition busted parts, command points, overlapping auras, overpowered units, and of course the Iron Hands | 18 Feb 2026 | 00:48:36 | |
On today’s episode we close our coverage of 8th edition with a discussion of the most broken and problematic elements of the edition. Starting with the over abundance of and lack of limitations on command points. Followed by overlapping auras and overly broad key-words. And then we jump into more specific examples of things that just got tuned up a little too high, Ynnari, loyal 32, smash captains, castellan knights, etc. And then close out on the death of the edition with the iron hands detachment of doom. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| Episode 18 - 9th edition: hope you like power creep and backorders..... or 3D printing | 04 Mar 2026 | 00:40:57 | |
On today’s episode we begin our coverage of 9th edition 40k. With a trip down memory lane of June 2020 and the big going on (leading to all of us not having a lot going on). And how that affected the launch of the edition cough cough back orders cough cough. Then we spend time talking about the actual changes of the edition, how they functioned and the effect on the game state. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| Episode 19 - 9th edition: yeah so the Tyranid codex was a bit much, but the Ork Buggie list was AMAZING!! | 18 Mar 2026 | 00:46:37 | |
On today’s episode close out our coverage of the editions of 40k with trip down the power creep that was 9th edition. Talking through the many busted codexes, and how they reshaped the meta. With an especial focus on the nightmare that was the tyranid codex release, and the joy that was the ork buggy release! As well as some fun hits on Drukhari, chaos, and some more. In retrospect we totally forgot about the harlequins, sorry! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| Episode 21 - The History Adepticon pt 1 - The beginnings of Adepticon | 15 Apr 2026 | 00:32:09 | |
On today’s episode we decided to switch and talk about Adepticon. After all we had just been there and it was epic and fun. On this episode we go back to the original Adepticons starting in 2003 and going through the mid teens. Focusing on the tournament’s growth and expansion. And how they added to and expanded upon their format in that time. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| Episode 20 - The History of the Grey Knights on the tabletop | 01 Apr 2026 | 00:36:32 | |
On today’s episode we pivot over to a new style and decide to talk about the Grey Knights over the ages. From their original appearance in rogue trader (as terminator models only) through 2nd edition expansion (of more terminator models). Then we cover one of the move influential codexes Daemonhunters in 3rd edition where they got their first expansion (along with GW trying out some new rules). Then we cover their first codex in 5th edition, which was busted AF. From there we dive into how the Grey Knights have evolved over the years. With some very good, and less good play styles (8th and 9th were very up and down). Along with how we think they should be adjusted to play more in line with their lore. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| Episode 23 - Why does everyone hate Tau pt1, its a long story | 13 May 2026 | 00:39:08 | |
On today’s episode we start our coverage of the most controversial faction: the TAU! Their initial launch into the game. And the immediate controversies that launched against them. How the line evolves from 3rd to 4th and more (with some white dwarfs and forgeworld). From there we go into the way they played on the table top and how that created even more enemies for the Tau Players. We then close out with the 7th edition allies that really pushed the limits on Tau. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||
| Episode 22 - Is corporate 40k bad for the game? | 29 Apr 2026 | 00:40:27 | |
On today’s episode we start by talking about Adepticon and then go way off the rails into something much more interesting. We jump into a real discussion about how the uniformity of 40k is making the game more dull. We discuss how much better the game is with unbalanced boards, weird weapons, and silly mechanics. And how it actually makes the game more tactical and more interesting, as opposed to a scripted thing it is turning into now. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy | |||