Are Age of Sigmar and Warhammer 40K in the Same Universe?
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The short, definitive answer is no, Warhammer Age of Sigmar (AoS) and Warhammer 40,000 (40K) are not set in the same universe. They are distinct and separate fictional settings created by Games Workshop, despite sharing some conceptual similarities. While both are deeply rooted in the lore of the Warp and feature similar archetypes and themes like gods, daemons, and epic conflicts, they are considered completely separate entities with their own unique histories, characters, and universes. The common elements act more like shared DNA than a direct connection, hinting at a shared origin point that has since diverged dramatically.
The Great Divide: Why They Are Separate
The separation of these two universes wasn’t always so clear-cut. Initially, the notion that the world of Warhammer Fantasy (the predecessor to AoS) might exist in the distant past of 40K was a popular fan theory and even hinted at in early lore. The concept of a planet within the galaxy surrounded by a permanent and impenetrable warp storm, where the events of Warhammer Fantasy took place, was a common explanation. However, as each setting evolved, their lore drifted significantly, leading to the explicit separation between them.
One of the primary reasons for this divergence was the shift from Warhammer Fantasy to Age of Sigmar. The End Times event in the Warhammer Fantasy lore saw the destruction of the Old World and its rebirth as the Mortal Realms of Age of Sigmar. This cataclysmic event firmly established AoS as a reboot and a distinct setting rather than a continuation of Warhammer Fantasy.
Shared Echoes, Different Realities
While there’s no direct connection, both settings feature some fascinating parallels that can lead to confusion:
- The Warp: Both universes rely on the concept of the Warp, a dimension of psychic energy connected to emotions and the source of daemons and magical power. However, the nature and mechanics of the Warp differ between the two settings. In 40k, the warp is a chaotic sea of emotions which can influence the galaxy on a large scale, while in AOS, the Warp is a bit more structured and compartmentalized.
- Similar Archetypes: Both settings have fantasy races like Elves (Eldar in 40k, Aelf in AoS), Dwarfs (Squats in 40k, Duardin in AoS), and gods that are mirrored, however, they are never truly the same. For example, the Slann of the Lizardmen in WHF are similar to the Old Ones of 40k, but not the same race.
- Chaos Gods: The Chaos Gods – Khorne, Tzeentch, Nurgle, and Slaanesh – are present in both settings, albeit with different manifestations, followers and backstories. While they share the same names and domains, they are, in effect, separate entities tied to their respective universes. Slaanesh in Warhammer Fantasy is not the same Slaanesh that appears in Warhammer 40,000.
- Shared Themes: Both settings explore themes of war, faith, corruption, and the struggle between order and chaos. These thematic commonalities contribute to the feeling of a shared lineage without them being part of a singular universe.
These similarities are more like echoes from a common creative ancestry than evidence of a shared timeline or reality. The writers have taken inspiration from similar tropes and ideas but have molded them into distinct narratives that ultimately stand on their own.
The Impact of the Separation
The explicit separation of AoS and 40k has allowed both settings to explore their unique narratives and themes without being constrained by the other. This has opened up possibilities for new races, factions, and storylines that wouldn’t have been feasible if the settings were connected. Each game has its own community, its own set of rules, and its own unique flavor. By being separate universes, Games Workshop has more freedom to innovate and explore vastly different stories and gameplay styles.
The differences between the settings also influence their gameplay and how they are presented to players. 40k is more rooted in grimdark sci-fi, with huge armies and more emphasis on tactical strategy and grand-scale warfare. While AoS is more high fantasy, with a focus on heroic battles, magic and powerful units.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 FAQs to further clarify the relationship (or lack thereof) between Warhammer Age of Sigmar and Warhammer 40,000:
1. Was there ever a plan to make them the same universe?
Initially, there were subtle hints of a possible connection, often through the idea of a planet lost in the Warp. However, this was never a concrete plan, and the lore diverged significantly over time.
2. Is Sigmar the Emperor from 40k?
No, Sigmar is not the Emperor of Mankind from 40k. Sigmar is a legendary barbarian warrior who became a god in the Warhammer Fantasy world (later the Mortal Realms in AoS), while the Emperor is a powerful psyker and the immortal ruler of the Imperium of Man in 40k. There are some superficial similarities between their roles, but they are entirely separate characters.
3. How does the Warp work differently between the two universes?
While both settings use the Warp as a source of magic and chaos, its manifestations and mechanics differ. In 40k, the Warp is a more chaotic and tumultuous sea of emotions, while in AoS, it is the source of realms created by gods and more organized streams of magic.
4. Do any characters cross between the universes?
No, no characters definitively cross between the two universes. Similar characters like Archaon exist, however, they are different individuals in their own right. There are parallels that act as an homage between the settings.
5. Are the Skaven present in Warhammer 40k?
No, there are no Skaven in Warhammer 40k. While 40k has various mutated and Chaos-worshipping threats, it lacks the rat-men that are a major presence in Warhammer Fantasy and Age of Sigmar.
6. Is Age of Sigmar a sequel to 40k?
No, Age of Sigmar is not a sequel to 40k. It is a sequel to Warhammer Fantasy Battle, not 40k. They are completely separate continuities.
7. Is Warhammer 3 set in Age of Sigmar?
No, Total War: Warhammer III is not set in the Age of Sigmar setting. It is set during the End Times, in the world of Warhammer Fantasy Battles before its destruction and rebirth as AoS.
8. How are the Chaos Gods different between AoS and 40k?
While they share the same names and domains, the Chaos Gods in AoS and 40k are separate manifestations of chaotic entities that exist within the Warp of each setting. They are not direct equivalents of one another.
9. Does Earth exist in Warhammer 40k?
Yes, Earth exists in Warhammer 40k, referred to as Terra, and serves as the Throneworld of the Imperium of Man. It’s the original homeworld of humanity. It has no connection to the events of Age of Sigmar.
10. Are all Warhammer games connected?
No, not all Warhammer games are connected. Games like Total War: Warhammer trilogy are linked, however, these games are set within the world of Warhammer Fantasy. Games like Darktide are set in 40k, and are not related in story to the events of Warhammer Fantasy or Age of Sigmar.
11. What are the Necrons of 40k equivalent to in the Old World?
The Necrons are similar to the undead of the Old World, but they are not one for one equivalents. The Necrons are an ancient race of mechanical skeletal warriors, while the undead are often animated corpses of the living.
12. Which Warhammer setting is more popular?
Warhammer 40k is generally more popular than Age of Sigmar, largely due to its unique gothic science-fiction setting and long history.
13. Is Age of Sigmar the past of 40k?
No, Age of Sigmar is not the past of 40k. Both settings are separate timelines with their own individual history. AoS is a sequel to the fantasy-setting of WHFB, which is older than Warhammer 40K, which might make AoS the older setting in a sense, but not historically in a universal timeline sense.
14. Why did Warhammer Fantasy end and transition to AoS?
Warhammer Fantasy was discontinued and replaced by Age of Sigmar to refresh the franchise, streamline gameplay, and explore new creative avenues. This led to the destruction of the Old World and the creation of the Mortal Realms.
15. Is Sigmar a Chaos God?
Sigmar is not a Chaos God in the conventional sense of the main four gods (Khorne, Tzeentch, Nurgle, Slaanesh). However, he is a powerful entity whose powers are tied to the Warp, making him part of the same magical framework as the Chaos Gods within his own world.
Conclusion
While both Age of Sigmar and Warhammer 40,000 belong to the same family, they occupy distinct universes with unique mythologies, timelines, and stories. The shared elements should be viewed as a testament to the consistent themes and archetypes within the Warhammer brand, rather than evidence of a single, connected universe. Ultimately, this separation allows fans to enjoy two vastly different and incredibly rich settings, each with its own unique charm and appeal.