The Independent Characters | Warhammer 40k Podcast

In Episode 278 of The Independent Characters, Carl takes us along for the ride at The Maelstrom Mixer - a fantastic community event. Carl breaks down how the event is structured, walks you through the games he played, and shares the stories behind the people he met across the table. Whether you've attended a Mixer before or have always been curious what all the fuss is about, this is your inside look at what makes this kind of event so special to the narrative and community side of Warhammer 40,000. Then we turn our attention to one of the most exciting things to come out of the new Armageddon launch box - the Dominatus Deck. This innovative new system promises to transform the way groups run Warhammer 40,000 campaigns, weaving individual battles together into a living, breathing narrative while keeping the bookkeeping refreshingly light. We walk through the full four-step campaign loop: from rolling to determine contested locations and their war zone rules, to reading Alliance Briefing cards that set the narrative stakes, pursuing thematic Agendas instead of standard objectives, and earning Battle Honour or Battle Skill cards that follow your units through the campaign. At phase end, controlling alliances claim location bonuses and powerful Relic cards; all building toward a climactic three-phase arc that culminates in one decisive final battle. If you've ever wanted a campaign system that tells a great story without drowning you in paperwork, the Dominatus Deck might be exactly what we have all been waiting for. Time Stamps: 0:00:00 – Show Intro, Elite Choice, Hobby Progress, and Games Played 0:22:00 – The Maelstrom Mixer 1:07:00 – Dominatus Deck Discussion 1:35:15 – Final Discussion and Show Closing Relevant Links: The Independent Characters Patreon Tablewar! – SPONSOR Herrick Games & Hobbies – SPONSOR Adepticon Games Workshop The Black Library

It's that time again - the 2025 Hobby Progress Challenge is here, and we're diving headfirst into all the details on this episode. Chelle, Adan, and Carl sit down to go over the rules of this year's challenge, how it's tracked, and what makes it such a fun and motivating way to tackle that pile of shame. Whether you're painting for glory in the Emperor's name or fueled by the whispers of Chaos, the HPC is your chance to stay focused, productive, and inspired all year long. We'll also hear directly from our community. Listeners who took part in last year's challenge share how the HPC helped them hit their goals, what they learned along the way, and what they're looking forward to this time around. Their stories remind us that while prizes and painted models are great, it's the camaraderie and encouragement that truly keep the brush moving month after month. Of course, we'll be talking about the prize support too - because what's a challenge without a few epic rewards along the way? With fantastic sponsors stepping up again this year, every month of progress not only builds your army but also earns you entries into our prize drawings. The 2025 Hobby Progress Challenge officially kicked off on September 1st, but it's never too late to join in. Tune in October 1st to hear how it all works, get inspired by your fellow hobbyists, and take the plunge into a year of painting, progress, and shared passion for Warhammer 40K. Time Stamps: 0:00:00 - Show Intro, Elite Choice, Hobby Progress, and Games Played 0:25:20 - The 2025 Hobby Progress Challenge - Pt1 1:05:45 - The 2025 Hobby Progress Challenge - Pt2 1:25:30 - 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 264 of The Independent Characters is one for the ages! This time, we're not just joined by guests, we're joined by legends. That's right: the entire cast of Life After the Cover Save joins Carl in the Astronomicon! Ed, Blake, and Travis bring their unique brand of humor, hobby passion, and podcast chaos to join Carl and crew for one big crossover episode you won't want to miss. The topic? One that's bound to spark some debate... What are the greatest Warhammer 40,000 expansion supplements of all time? From the game-changing codex expansions that shaped entire editions, to legendary campaign books and wild narrative add-ons that still echo in hobby history - we're digging deep, reminiscing, and arguing about which supplements truly stood the test of time. You'll get laughs, you'll get hot takes, and you might even find yourself dusting off some old tomes from your shelf once we're done. Because let's face it, everyone has their own "best of all time" picks, and we want to hear yours too! This one's a celebration of the game, the supplements that shaped it, and the community that keeps it alive. Time Stamps: 0:00:00 - Show Intro, Elite Choice, Hobby Progress 0:34:00 - The Greatest 40k Supplements - Part 1 1:38:00 - The Greatest 40k Supplements - Part 2 2:17:00 - Final Thoughts and show closing Relevant Links: The Independent Characters Patreon Tablewar! - SPONSOR Herrick Games & Hobbies - SPONSOR Goonhammer War on The Shore 2026 Adepticon The Beard Bunker Games Workshop The Black Library

In episode 262 of The Independent Characters, we delve deep into the shadows of the Imperium with a close look at Imperium Maledictum, the Warhammer 40,000 roleplaying game from Cubicle 7. Carl is joined by guest hosts Lars, Thom, and Steve; each bringing their unique RPG experience to the table, as we unravel the mysteries and mechanics of this investigative game set in the decaying heart of the Imperium. We begin with an exploration of the setting: This is a desperate and fractured region of space known as the Macharian Sector. The players serve shadowy patrons; from Inquisitors, Rogue Traders and Adeptus Mechanicus. Adventures revolve around investigations and surviving political intrigue, heretical threats, and the oppressive weight of Imperial bureaucracy. The game's tone is one of paranoia, secrets, and moral ambiguity - perfectly capturing the essence of the Warhammer 40k universe from a civilian perspective. Then we dive into the core mechanics and ruleset of Imperium Maledictum. From the D100-based skill checks to the Patron system that shapes your party's resources and objectives. We will explore how the game encourages teamwork, narrative depth, and immersive roleplaying. Whether you're a veteran of previous Warhammer RPGs, such as Rogue Trader or Dark Heresy, or new to roleplaying in the 41st Millennium, this episode will help you understand why Imperium Maledictum stands out as a compelling and richly detailed approach to role playing. If you ARE interested in purchasing the game after listening to this episode - please use our link below as it helps us with our Cubicle7 relationship. Time Stamps: 0:00:00 - Show Intro, Elite Choice, Hobby Progress 0:35:20 - Imperium Maledictum: Part 1 1:22:45 - Imperium Maledictum: Part 2 1:49:52 - 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

The Independent Characters is a show focused on the universe of Warhammer 40,000. However, for one of the first times ever, we are going to take a slight tour and perhaps a dimension hop to discuss an Old World topic! In this episode of The Independent Characters, we dive into the crumbling streets of the City of the Damned with Episode 260: Mordheim - Warbands and Wyrdstone. Carl, Josh, and Jody explore the gritty skirmish game that captured the imaginations of Warhammer Fantasy fans back in 1999 and still lives on through a passionate community today. We'll break down the core mechanics of Mordheim, how warbands are built and evolve, and what makes its campaign system so enduring. Then, we recount our own recent two-day campaign weekend—hosted by Jody—where warbands clashed, wyrdstone was hoarded, and lasting stories were forged in the ruins. From preparation to final battle, we share the triumphs, tragedies, and unforgettable moments of bringing this classic game back to life. While this isn't our usual content, if you're a veteran of the old world or just discovering Mordheim for the first time, this is an episode not to miss! Time Stamps: 0:00:00 - Show Intro, Elite Choice, Hobby Progress 0:21:35 - Mordheim: The Foundations 1:08:35 - Mordheim: Campaign Experience 2:22:00 - Final Thoughts and show closing Relevant Links: The Independent Characters Patreon Tablewar! - SPONSOR Herrick Games & Hobbies - SPONSOR War on The Shore 2026 Adepticon Hexengarde Mordheim Terrain Broheim Necromunda Community Resources Games Workshop The Black Library

Episode 258 of The Independent Characters discusses the future of Narrative Warhammer 40,000! With the rumors and timetable of a new edition of Warhammer 40,000 ramping up, Episode 258 sees The Independent Characters discussing where we would like to see the focus of narrative style games shift. This episode contains round-table speculation on what Crusade (or its successor) might look like in the next edition, plus a wish-list to Games Workshop for more social, story-first support. Additionally we have an interview with the founder and creator of the Rapid Fire Dicebox! This is a really great product that I have seen in person and really thought it was thematically clever. I neglected to lead into the interview - but it comes just before the show closing. We hope you enjoy Episode 258. Time Stamps: 0:00:00 - Show Intro, Elite Choice, Hobby Progress, & Games Played 0:54:00 - The Future of Narrative Part 1 1:42:45 - The Future of Narrative Part 2 1:42:45 - Interview: The Rapid Fire Dice Box! 2:54:00 - Final Thoughts and show closing Relevant Links: The Independent Characters Patreon Tablewar! - SPONSOR Herrick Games & Hobbies - SPONSOR Adepticon Goblin Hobbies - Makers of the Stampin' Plates Maelstrom Mixer Rapid Fire Dicebox Rapid Fire Dicebox Kickstarter Games Workshop The Black Library

Episode 256 of The Independent Characters is a long one... and we even reigned it in! We had a lot to talk about here. We revisit episode 72, where we looked deep into the history and current issues of White Dwarf. In this episode we bridge the gap between episode 72 and now, in an episode we titled White Dwarf: Now and Again. Nearly 12 years have passed since our last coverage of this topic and it was due for a refresh as White Dwarf itself seems to have gone through many refreshes. To help us with this discussion, we are joined by Campbell from the 40k Badcast again. He always brings some great insight. We hope you enjoy Episode 256... and are here for the four hour episode! Time Stamps: 0:00:00 - Show Intro, Elite Choice, Hobby Progress 0:44:35 - White Dwarf: Now and Again Pt 1 2:52:35 - White Dwarf: Now and Again Pt 2 3:46:10 - Final Thoughts and show closing Relevant Links: The Independent Characters Patreon Tablewar! - SPONSOR Herrick Games & Hobbies - SPONSOR Adepticon Goblin Hobbies - Makers of the Stampin' Plates Creature Caster Arsenal Miniatures Game Bushido Miniatures Game Maelstrom Mixer Games Workshop The Black Library