Summary
TheWarhammer 40Kuniverse is a vast, grimdark setting that started out as a tabletop strategy game setting before becoming an entertainment behemoth. Filled with heroes, villains, and legendary figures who shape the fate of their galaxy,Warhammer 40Khas an intricate lore spanning centuries. Many news fans will probably even need theGrimdark Fantasy subgenre explainedto them before they dive in.
Most ofWarhammer 40K’sbiggest hitters are men, but the franchise has its fair share of iconic female characters, too (also, some would still argue that it is not enough). From unstoppable warriors and psychic champions to leaders of entire factions, these women are not only defined by their abilities but also by the pivotal roles they play in 40K’s epic lore. We’ve brought together a list of some of the franchise’s best female characters, highlighting their unique traits, legendary feats, and lasting impact on the universe’s brutal narrative, but 40K’s lore is massive and full of retcons, so let us know in the comments who you think we’ve missed.
8Alicia Dominica
(Founder of the Adepta Sororitas And Patron Saint of the Sisterhood)
Not many characters outside the Primarchs and the Emperor himself have shaped Imperium history to the extent that Alicia Dominica did. As a member of the Brides of the Emperor, she was pivotal in ending the Reign of Blood by leading the rebellion against the tyrannical High Lord Goge Vandire. And then beheading him for good measure.
For her unwavering loyalty to the Emperor, she was brought to the Sanctum Imperialis, the heart of the Imperial Palace, and after being put in front of the Golden Throne, received a vision of true faith. With this faith, she founded the Adepta Sororitas, creating the militant arm of the Ecclesiarchy. Now long dead, the Sisters of Battle continue her mission by purging the Empire of heresy. Although not yet resurrected, Alicia proves that in the grim work of40k, death is not the end—faith can make one eternal. With characters like this, it’s no wonder the Imperium is one ofWarhammer 40K’sstrongest factions.
7Morvenn Vahl
Abbess Sanctorum And High Lord of Terra
It only makes sense to go from the woman who founded the Adeota Soroitas to its current Abbess. Morvenn Vahl is a powerhouse who defies expectations by leading from the front rather than remaining a political figurehead. When on the battlefield, she dons her custom Paragon Warsuit, Purgator Mirabilis, and wields the mighty Lance of Illumination, making her a foe few mortals can stand up to.
She’s just as intimidating off of the battlefield. She was appointed to the position of High Lord of Terra by Roboute Gulliman and is widely respected for focusing on military matters rather than getting dragged into political point scoring. Her military acumen has been proven time and time again, as in the crusade against the Philosopher’s Belt. 40k has its fair share of corrupt and ineffectual leaders, but Vahl has only enhanced her faction, making her one of the franchise’s best female characters.
6Ephrael Stern
The Daemonifuge
Ephrael Stern has been through it, even by40kstandards. She was once a Battle Sister of the Order of Our Martyred Lady but gained immense amounts of power after she survived the Screaming Cage on Parnis, where the souls of 700 faithful Sisters infused her with their strength and knowledge. She later journeyed to the Black Library alongside Kyganil, a former Harlequin, making her a rare bridge between humanity and alien factions.
After being exposed to the library’s forbidden knowledge, Ephrael Stern was transformed into a Pariah-like entity and became immune to Chaos corruption. With her faith-based powers, she can dispatch daemons with surprising ease, take on Inquisitors and Chaos Space Marines, and even resist Ahriman himself. Female characters don’t always get that much depth in40k, but Ephrael Stern got her own graphic novel series,Daemonifuge. She’s just that cool. It’s not hard to imagine anawesome single-player40kgamewith her as the lead.
5Inquisitor Greyfax
Ordo Hereticus, Psyker Hunter
Inquisitor Greyfax is proof that a character doesn’t have to be likable to be enjoyable. As an Inquisitor Greyfax (Ordo Hereticus, Psyker Hunter), Greyfax is a zealot of the highest order and a complete hardass. Despite spending most of her time fighting psykers, she’sa powerful psykerin her own right, able to see through any falsehood and disable the enemy using her signature “aura of suppression” power.
In battle, she wields a master-crafted Condemnor Boltgun and Power Sword, and few other inquisitors are quite so good at taking out heretics and psykers. In40klore, she has played an impressive role. She was captured by Abaddon and put in stasis for centuries but later played a key role in resurrecting Roboute Gulliman duringThe Gathering Storm. Her indomitable willpower and faith mean she’s able to resist Chaos corruption, and she’s easily one of the Imperium’s most dangerous Inquisitors.
4Yvraine
Of course, not all of40k’sbest female characters are human. Yvraine is an Eldar and the chosen of Ynnead, the Eldar god of the dead, as well as being the leader of the Ynnari faction. Yvraine has a storied history and has been an Exarch, Corsair, and even a gladiator in Commoragh. After being killed, Yvraine was brought back by Ynnead’s power and gifted amazing abilities. Most impressively, she can bring the dead back to life.
She has used this ability to good effect. DuringThe Gathering Storm,she helped in the resurrection of Gulliman and battled alongside the Imperium against Chaos. She also brought back Jain Zar (who we’ll be getting to soon). As a powerful psyker, she can turn enemies into ash by channeling Ynnead and boost her allies. Yvraine is also a skilled leader, with the rare ability in40kto unite feuding factions. She’s driven by the need to awaken Ynnead (since Ynnead is currentlyone of40K’s weakest gods) fully in the hopes of saving the Eldar race and defeating Slaanesh. She might just do it, too.
3Jain Zar
Phoenix Lord Of The Howling Banshees
Another Eldar, Jain Zar (aka the Storm of Silence), is the deadliest of all the Howling Banshees and one of the greatest Eldar. She was the first of Asurmen’s disciples and founded the Howling Banshee Aspect, and, as a Phoenix Lord, she holds all the combined combat skills and knowledge of all her predecessors. With the Jainas Mor (Silent Death) throwing weapon and the Zhai Morenn (Blade of Destruction) sword at her disposal, there’s no escaping Jain Zar’s wrath, especially with her abilities amplified by her Terror’s Lament mask.
Jain Zar has fought and beaten Space Marines, Chaos Champions, and other Phoenix Lords and come out on top. Even some ofthe most dangerous Tyranid bioformsare no match for her. Only the mighty Drazhar could boast of killing her, and even that didn’t stick. She was brought back by Yvraine and went on to defeat him. Alongside Yvraine, she’s played a crucial role in keeping the Eldar race.
2Celestine, The Living Saint
One Of The Emperor’s Favorites
In40K, if the Emperor decides to bring you back, you’re probably doing something right (or wrong, depending on one’s perspective). Celestine was once a Sister Repentia of the Order of Our Martyred Lady but fell during the Paltine Schism after taking out over 100 heretics. Supposedly, for her sacrifice, the emperor brought her back as a Living Saint, making her an imperial legend.
Celestine has been killed multiple times but always comes back, glowing with holy power. She led the Celestial Crusade, performing miracles and inspiring entire armies with her zeal. In battle, she wears the Armor of Saint Katherine and wields the holy Ardent Blade, capable of burning the unworthy to a crisp. Celestine has been at the center of key events likeThe Gathering Storm, the 13th Black Crusade, and Gulliman’s resurrection. With the emperor’s favor, there’s a chance she could stand up to some ofthe strongest traitor primarchs. She even has her own novel,Celestine: The Living Saint. Perhaps the most interesting thing about her, though, is the speculation that it might not have been the Emperor who truly blessed her.
1Saint Katherine
Martyr Of The Adepta Soroitas
The Order of Our Martyred Lady boasts some of Warhammer’s best female characters, so it makes sense that we finish with its founder. Saint Katherine, also known as Katherine Elysius or The Shield Bearer, is one of the Adepta Soroitas’ most revered figures. Katherine began as one of the original Prides of the Emperor, the women who stood beside the Golden Throne during the Age of Apostasy. She was there when Goge Vandire was killed, an event that turned her hair white.
A fierce warrior, Katherine led countless battles and campaigns. Before her martyrdom, she killed an untold number of heretics, and her determination and avenging spirit inspire every Sister of Battle. After her death, her remains were enshrined in the Triumph of Saint Katherine, which the Sisters still carry into battle. Within the Imperium, long after her death, Katherine is an icon to millions and proof that in the world of40k, women can play just as important roles as men.
