ChatGPT helped me with Warhammer 40K — including list creation, lore, and paint schemes

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Will AI be a big help in the grim darkness of the 41st millennium?

Chat GPT and Warhammer
(Image credit: left image Shuttershock, right image Games Workshop)

I've been a long-time fan of Warhammer 40K, but with how busy life gets, I haven't been able to spend as much time as I would like focusing on the hobby. However, AI might offer the help I need.

Over the last few months, I’ve been using ChatGPT to help me go over my Warhammer lists to make sure they’re as tight as they can. However, I was recently invited to join a small tourney at my local club and, with next to no experience at the competitive level, I decided to see if ChatGPT could help me create a fun new list for my Orks.

Chat GPT offered a creative new list

First part of ChatGPT warhammer army list

(Image credit: Future)

The first thing I needed to do was create a new list for the orks, including the relevant points cost and equipment. If you’re unfamiliar with Warhammer 40K, it’s based around units of models that fight each other on a board.

The aim is to build an army that comfortably sits within 2,000 points, with each unit having its own value. However, there's more to an army than just numbers, as you'll want synergy between all the rules and troops. With that in mind, I asked ChatGPT, “Create a competitive, but fluffy, 2K Ork War horde list for 40K 10th edition with no named character.”

ChatGPT Warhammer list 2

(Image credit: Future)

The AI was able to compose a list, but there is one issue: some of the point values are wrong. This isn’t entirely surprising, as ChatGPT uses several different sources to find information, and Games Workshop’s constant updates to the points make this a nightmare. Thankfully, I have the Warhammer 40k app to double-check and can ask the AI to double-check.

With that said, I loved that the list offered me a set amount of points to fill myself, allowing me to easily tailor the list to my own preferences. The AI also provided a breakdown of why the selected models are fluffy (meaning they fit into the lore of the game) and also an idea of how to use them tactically.

I can also get ChatGPT to tailor the list to better suit certain parameters and break down a battle plan for each turn of the game.

Let’s make some lore!

Tom's Guide ork horde lore

(Image credit: Future)

With that done, let’s create a bit of lore for the army. I decided to see if I could create a story of an Ork army based around Tom’s Guide. So, I asked ChatGPT to do so, with a couple of specifics to add some flavor.

I have to say, ChatGPT didn’t disappoint, with it creating the “Da Waaaagh! Of Da Techno-Reviewaz” whose leader, Tomskull da Reviewer, is obsessed with finding and reviewing new pieces of tech.

The breakdown of the lore is simple and easy to understand, and I like the little bits of color, like the ork war cries, comprising yelling about tech. On top of that, ChatGPT also created an army culture, including calling Deff Dreds “Prototype cases” that are used to gauge the “frames per chop” of their weapons. I also like that it includes how enemies view the army, as well as letting me come up with even more details to expand on the idea.

Now for a paint scheme for Da Techno-Reviewaz

ChatGPT beginner painting guide

(Image credit: Future)

The final thing I wanted to try out was to see if ChatGPT could come up with an interesting paint scheme that I could follow for the army. With that in mind, I asked it to come up with a color scheme using Games Workshop paints and a process. Firstly, I wanted to see what it came up with for someone who is a novice painter.

ChatGPT, once again, didn’t disappoint; it came up with an easy-to-follow guide with specific paints for each part of a model. Not only that, it also broke down painting guides for specific units in the army, while keeping to the original theme. ChatGPT also offered tips for beginners, as well as the option to see a 5-model test squad painting plan. However, I'm no novice, so I wanted to see what it suggested for more advanced painters.

ChatGPT advanced painting options

(Image credit: Future)

The advanced guide was pretty much precisely what I asked for; it took the original steps and then added a bit of extra snap with some new layers and washes. I would, as a long-time painter, consider most of these techniques relatively advanced and once again, I was able to ask for a 5-model test guide to try out the colors.

I can see myself making use of ChatGPT more in the future, beyond just asking it for list suggestions. Obviously, it isn't perfect and there are a few issues that could be straightened out.

Let me know what you think, and if you've been using AI to help with your tabletop game of choice, then tell me how it went!

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Josh Render
Josh Render
Staff Writer

Josh is a staff writer for Tom's Guide and is based in the UK. He has worked for several publications but now works primarily on mobile phones. Outside of phones, he has a passion for video games, novels, and Warhammer. 

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