The Independent Characters | Warhammer 40k Podcast

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

Episode 269 of The Independent Characters strides onto the battlefield with a thunderous step as we begin a two-part exploration of the greatest war machines ever to walk the galaxy - the Titans. In this first installment, we turn our gaze to the Imperial God-Engines of the Adeptus Mechanicus and the Collegia Titanica, delving deep into their origins, traditions, and the awe-inspiring lore that surrounds them. From the Titan Legions of the Great Crusade to the battles of the 41st Millennium, we trace how these towering avatars of the Omnissiah came to symbolize the Imperium's divine right to rule through fire and steel.
We discuss the classes and hierarchy of Imperial Titans - from the swift Warhound Scout Titans to the legendary Warlord and the near-mythic Imperator - and examine the sacred bond between the Princeps, Moderati, and their god-machine. These are not mere machines, but walking cathedrals of destruction, powered by faith and fury in equal measure.
On the tabletop, Imperial Titans have taken many forms across Games Workshop's systems, and we look at how these behemoths are represented in Warhammer 40,000, Horus Heresy, Adeptus Titanicus, and Legions Imperialis. Whether you command a Titan Maniple in Adeptus Titanicus or field a Warlord in an Apocalypse-scale 40K battle, these engines of war have remained a constant source of fascination and terror. We also discuss the stunning models that bring them to life; each one a feat of design that captures the impossible scale and grandeur of the Imperium's god-machines.
This episode marks the beginning of our most monumental topic yet, and it's only the first half of the story. In Episode 270, we'll turn our auspex toward the Xenos counterparts; the alien god-engines of the Orks, Aeldari, and beyond to see how other races of the galaxy answer the thunderous challenge of the Imperium's Titans!
We hope you enjoy the show.
Time Stamps:
0:00:00 - Show Intro, Elite Choice, Hobby Progress
0:49:45 - Engines of The Apocalypse: Imperial Titans - Part 1 (First Half)
1:36:30 - Engines of The Apocalypse: Imperial Titans - Part 2
2:04:45 - 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

Episode 268 of The Independent Characters lumbers onto the battlefield just in time for Halloween – and it's a dark and twisted one!
When we set out to cover both the Imperial Knights and their blasphemous counterparts, the Chaos Knights, it quickly became clear that the topic was far too massive for a single episode. Carl's optimism got the better of him (again), and what was shaping up to be a five-to-six-hour show had to be cleaved in two. Thus, our Show of Force: Oaths and Damnation has become a two-parter.
This episode, we descend into the shadows to explore the corrupted Knight Houses that turned their backs on honor and swore allegiance to the Dark Gods. Carl and Adan take you through the lore, the tabletop presence, the terrifying rules, and the evolution of these towering engines of damnation. From the infernal bargains of the Infernal Houses to the ruthless traditions of the Iconoclasts, Chaos Knights embody the darker half of this story, and they arrive on October 31st to haunt your feed.
So lock your hatches, ward your soul, and prepare for a Halloween-ready dive into the corrupted grandeur of the Chaos Knights.
Time Stamps:
0:00:00 – Show Intro, Elite Choice, Hobby Progress
0:29:00 – Oaths & Damnation – Part 1 (First Half)
1:03:30 – Oaths & Damnation – Part 1 (Second Half)
1:44:15 – Final Thoughts and show closing
Relevant Links:
The Independent Characters Patreon
Tablewar! – SPONSOR
Herrick Games & Hobbies – SPONSOR
Imperium Maledictum by Cubicle7
Goonhammer
War on The Shore 2026
Adepticon
Games Workshop
The Black Library