Wikipedia:WikiProject Warhammer 40,000/40k Army Page Guidelines

These guidelines were created for the purposes of organizing the Warhammer 40,000 articles in Wikipedia. They are intended to unite differing armies, strategies, backgrounds, and locations; an attempt to help bring each army together for better comparison; and to help share a better organized Wikiproject for those who want more information on the Warhammer 40,000 universe and those unfamiliar with other armies.

An Army Pages should follow a common outline for all to see and easily compare. Suggested Outline:

I. Introduction

Brief summary of Army overall.

• Mention in one or two sentences that the Army in question is a "fictitious faction of (humaniod/elf-like/bug-like, etc. Alien race/Humans) who fight for (purpose) using (main strategies and/or overall peculiar characteristics) in the table-top boardgame Warhammer 40,000 with a "(See main article: Warhammer 40,000)".

II. Background ("Fluff")

A. History

• Do not mention dates as is in Warhammer 40,000. This is jargon that those unfamiliar with the 40k universe may not understand.

B. State what the Army is "presently" doing and what may become of them in the future in relation to the rest of the galaxy.

C. Physiology

• Give a general, overall description of the race in its pysical form. Refrain from POV'ing on size, structure, or looks as this may confuse and irritate newcomers (as well as anger those in favor of the army, please just be courteous and use discretion).
• If there are many diverse types (e.g. Tyranids and Ork), discuss first common physiology and in one paragraph briefly describe each sub-type from largest to smallest, or vis versa. If there are only a few diverse types (e.g. Kroot), describe common physiology and note minor differences in other types in next paragraph, but do not be too specific (e.g. for Kroot, note that by eating certain defeated foes, Kroot can gain large and abnormal size and muscle from larger creatures, or dog-like characteristics from eating dog-like creatures).

D. Culture

 Note: Some races do not necessarily have a "society"
 or much of a "culture" with one another. If this is
 the case, indicate the Army in question does not have 
 a culture and the reasons, but include 2 and 3. 

1. Society

 Note: If the Army in question is a definite race with a 
 certain society, use the following:

• Include a list of the divese types of the same race (if there are classes, list from least to greatest or greatest to least)
• How the different and diverse types view one another and other types.
• What is the growth and success of the Society like?
• Reproduction

2. Religion.

Include beliefs, gods, worship methods, rituals, and how it effects the race in the universe (e.g. Tau's Greater Good making them desirous to unite the galaxy, or an Ork Waaagh! in fighting the galaxy)

 NOTE: Do not include POV'ing especially in religion.
 If you do not understand this, simply minimize your 
 adjectives and adverbs (those discouraged include: 
 Bizarre, evil, putrid, wasteful, imperial, and any 
 word found in the Thesaurus with these words.)

3. Association/Brotherhood/Sisterhood of Arms

• If a specific Army is not a race, or there is an unknown society or cooperation style, use instead this. If an Army does include the above, put this in addition.
• Note the ranks in the military (from highest to lowest, or vice versa)
• Within the ranks, note which is the most common (E.g. Although grots are the weakest and numerous, and Warbosses are the "big dogs", Boyz make up the most common)
• The relationship between these various ranks (E.g. The Warboss has to watch his back and keep his Nobs in check)

E. Homeworld/Domestic Habitation

• Briefly describe where the Army/Race reside as a home in the galaxy. If the Army in question rule an empire, note where in the galaxy, how large, and growth (E.g. describe an Eldar Craftworld for Eldar or T'au for Tau).

F. Space Travel

• How does the Army or Race in question travels through the galaxy? Include a separate paragraph to briefly describe a Navy (if any). This is where the race's relation to Warp Travel will be included.

III. Warfare

A. Reasons for War

• Note when, why, and how this Army fights. Do not simply plunge into the warfare. This will help make a smooth transition from cultural thinking into warfare.

B. Tactics

• Refrain from specific on-battlefield tactics as this is typically POV'ing. Only include Army beliefs or common strategies noted in the Codex; reference every mentioned strategy! (E.g. The hit-and-run type pirital raids are actually mentioned in the Dark Eldar Codex, or the Kroot respect for the "warrior spirit" and consumption of enemies in Tau Codex)
• If there are differing ways of war between different armies of the same race (E.g. Eldar), include a brief paragraph describing each Supplement Army's own Warfare after a paragraph of common reasons or tactics.

C. Technology

• This is for a brief overview and summary of the technology and weapons used to help enhance the certain strategies and warfare of the army in question. Include a link to the "Technology Page" (if there is not yet a "Technology Page", make a link to one anyway, leading to a non-existent article. If a "WVE Page" already exists, leave a link to this.)

D. Unit Roles

• This works by stating the different roles in that Army and how they are carried out (starting with HQ, Troops, Elites, Fast Attack, and Heavy Support respectively in general).
• The Leaders. Each Army has specific needs and roles that are carried out by certain groups of units. Starting with the HQ, note how the HQ units help the Army on the battlefield. (E.g. Start with Warbosses for Ork, and the need that Ork need a "big boss" of force to keep Orks in line. Tyranid synapse creatures keep the Tyranids going and fearless.)
• The Core. Next, describe the more core parts of the Army type (e.g. Troop choices) and how they keep the army central and together.
• Special Roles. Each Army has a set of peculiar units that meet different strengths for the Army that can generally keep the Army balanced. Note the special rolls and strengths for that particular Army, and then list what units carry them out.
• Support Roles. Lastly, note down the types of units that may not be generally involved in the strengths or special roles, but support them.

 IMPORTANT: By referring to units like this, each Army 
 looks more unique and distinguished (not like Starcraft 
 races). Long descriptions of each and every specific 
 unit is avoided. Trying to list units under their 
 respective unit type will not do enough justice either. 
 Tau, ex. have "Fast Attack" units, but they are not 
 necessarily "fast attacking units" or "strike force/
 spearhead" units, and are closer to "supporting units". 
 This also helps those unfamiliar with Warhammer 40,000 
 get an idea for the strategy of the game.
 Please discuss this for more ideas or controversy.

VI. Notable Characters

• As notable characters will have their own pages, (see Notable Character Guidelines) only present a brief list and a single sentence describing what each character is famous for.

VII. Player Perspective

A. Common Strategies and Uses

B. Outlook/Popularity (quotes/poles would be helpful for support)

VII. Nonfiction Information

A. When and why Games Workshop created his army (the army's page on the Games Workshop site is a good reference, they usually tell you)

B. History

C. Changes

• If possible or desired, note the changes made to an Army from its beginning to the present day.
• Pictures of the older models help

--Use the Disscussion Page for each Army what should/should not go into the article, and (more importantly) how the Introduction should be worded, and how to organize Unit Rolls and Tactics.--

VIII. "See Also", "References", and "External Links"

(This section is yet to have specified guidelines. Please discuss)

For other guidelines and details, see the General Guidelines.