We know the impact the Chaos Gods have had on the imperium of man but what impact does Chaos have on the other races in the Warhammer 40k Universe? The answer is a simple yes! The Chaos Gods are capable of corrupting many races in the Warhammer 40k universe, not just Space Marines. However, the degree to which they can corrupt each race depends on that race’s connection to the Warp and how vulnerable they are to the influence of Chaos.
- Tau: The Tau are generally very resistant to Chaos corruption. This is because their species has a very weak presence in the Warp compared to other races, meaning they don’t interact with the Warp as much, making them less susceptible to the manipulations of Chaos. However, it’s not impossible for a Tau to be corrupted—it’s just incredibly rare. The Tau’s collective focus on logic, unity, and order also helps shield them from the emotional extremes that Chaos feeds on.
- Eldar: The Eldar are highly susceptible to Chaos, particularly to the god Slaanesh, whom they accidentally birthed through their own excesses and decadence. Eldar souls are deeply connected to the Warp, making them prime targets for corruption. This is why the Eldar live in such a careful, restrained way now, constantly trying to protect themselves from falling to Chaos. They even created the Infinity Circuits to house their souls after death, protecting them from being consumed by Slaanesh.
- Necrons: Necrons are nearly immune to Chaos corruption because they no longer have souls. During the War in Heaven, they gave up their souls to become machines. Since Chaos feeds on emotions and souls, the Necrons are effectively beyond the reach of Chaos. However, Chaos could still manipulate Necrons indirectly, by influencing events or races around them, but not through direct corruption.
- Tyranids: The Tyranids are another race that is largely resistant to Chaos corruption. Their hive mind acts as a kind of psychic firewall, shielding individual Tyranids from being influenced by the Warp. While Chaos can affect some of their psychic entities (like the Hive Mind or Zoanthropes) to a degree, the Tyranid collective instinctively avoids Chaos and even actively consumes worlds tainted by it, suggesting they have a natural aversion or immunity to it. However, as with any race, indirect manipulation is always a possibility.
- Imperial Guard: The Imperial Guard are very susceptible to Chaos corruption. As ordinary humans, they are vulnerable to the same temptations and emotions that Chaos preys on—fear, anger, greed, and despair. The Warp can exploit these emotions, especially when the Guard are exposed to long, brutal battles or desperate situations. Whole regiments of the Imperial Guard have fallen to Chaos in the past, becoming traitors and serving the Chaos Gods. Unlike the genetically enhanced Space Marines, the average Guardsman lacks the extreme psychological conditioning to resist these temptations, making them a frequent target for corruption.
To sum it up, Chaos can corrupt many races, but the effectiveness of this corruption depends on the race’s psychic connection to the Warp and their emotional susceptibility. Some, like the Eldar and humans, are highly vulnerable, while others, like the Necrons and Tyranids, are largely resistant. The Imperium of Man, including both Space Marines and the Imperial Guard, is particularly at risk due to the complex nature of human emotion and their frequent exposure to the horrors of war and the Warp.
