Top 20 Grimdank Memes: Only True Warhammer 40K Fans

If you’re a Warhammer 40K fan, you’ve probably stumbled upon the term “grimdank,” a mash-up of grimdank and dank, combining the brutal tone of the 41st millennium with dark, nerdy humor. This article walks you through the top 20 Grimdank memes, breaking down each one in plain, everyday language so you know exactly why they hit home.

What Is Grimdank?

Grimdank is a meme style born on r/grimdank, a Reddit community where fans pair serious Warhammer lore with ironic, irreverent captions. Folks here poke fun at over-the-top universe elements like endless wars, fanaticism, and grim fate, turning deep lore into relatable jokes.

How We Chose Our Top 20?

We looked at

• Memes with high upvotes and massive engagement on r/grimdank.
• References on KnowYourMeme and other platforms.
• Common themes like Inquisition paranoia, Commissar justice, loyal Custodes, meme remix culture, and faction traits.

The Top 20 Grimdank Memes

1. Inquisition Paranoia

Classic meme: “Who are you talking to, heretic?” Satire on the overbearing and suspicious nature of the Inquisition.

2. Commissar’s Final Words

Scenes of Commissars shooting their troops are paired with everyday content like “When your friend won’t pay you back.”

3. “Not Even Once” (Death Guard Edit)

Originally anti-drug, but redrawn with nurglings to mock the plague’s unstoppable spread.

4. Overly Dank Tank

Memes exaggerate tanks on fire or absurd, “This tank’s mood is me on Monday morning.”

5. “Hells Yes” Cultist Affirmation

Fan approval with a cultist praising actions: “Hell yes, let’s burn heretics!”

6. Emotionless

Blank faces with captions like “When the Emperor still wants your soul donation.”

7. Self-aware Imperial

Space Marine in introspection: “Even the Emperor wouldn’t charge that hill,” acknowledging absurd tactics.

8. Sanguinius Resurrection Hope

Fans jokingly ask, “Imagine if Sanguinius came back,” highlighting emotional lore moments.

9. Tau Tuesday

For Tau memes: “For the Greater Good. of my breakfast,” poking fun at faction slogans.

10. Crusader Squads go BRRRRR

Highlighting heavy attack squads with a machine-gun “br-r-r-r” sound.

11. Barnyard Combat

Comparing a Gordian vanilla fight scene to farm animals with military captions.

12. Alpha Legion Stealth Humor

“Just Alpha Legion things” with sly, mysterious captions mocking their stealth tactics.

13. Custodes Unexpected Softness

Gentle Custodes memes like “They might kill you or hug you” to show contrast.

14. Wraithbone Retcon Rage

Memes blow up about lore changes to Eldar craft, emphasizing fan frustrations.

15. Comically Original

“How original,” caption over wildly recycled memes, calling out meme trends.

16. Old Timer Confusion

“Someone, please explain. I haven’t been here in months,” reacting to a niche meme.

17. Nothing Once

Memes like “Nothing that can’t be solved with plasma” are overconfident humor.

18. Tau Greater Mismanagement

Parody of “Greater Good” with bureaucratic in-fighting jokes.

19. Elite vs Chad Emperor

Comparison meme between over-glorified leaders vs. underdog heroes.

20. Extra Gothic Meme

Overuse of gothic aesthetics in captions: “Extra gothic” or big fonts, dramatic tone.

Why do These Work?

These memes hit the mark by using fan knowledge, like faction motives and lore clichés, and flipping them into jokes about everyday life: paranoia, hope, bureaucracy, and emotional disconnect. They unite insiders and wannabe fans by turning complexity into bite-sized humor.

Grimdank in the Meme Trends of 2025

Remember all those viral meme trends this year: AI mashups, absurdist humor, and corporate cringe? 2025 is all about bizarre juxtapositions, relatable work satire, and hyper-specific jokes
 Grimdank fits right in:

• It’s absurd: Space Marines meeting mundane problems.
• It’s relatable: even elite soldiers get job burnout.
• Its niche: only Warhammer fans get it, but they love it.
• It’s dramatic: Gothic visuals are already dramatic enough to meme.

FAQ

Q1. Where do Grimdank memes come from?

Most Grimdank memes come from the Warhammer 40K fan community, especially from places like Reddit’s r/grimdank, Discord servers, and meme pages. Fans make them by mixing serious game lore with funny captions or pictures.

Q2. What’s the difference between Grimdark and Grimdark?

Grimdark is a term used to describe the very dark, violent, and hopeless tone of the Warhammer 40K universe. Grimdank, on the other hand, takes that darkness and makes jokes about it. It’s humor born from something serious.

Q3. Can I make my own Grimdank meme?

Yes! Anyone can make one. You just need an image (often from Warhammer art or models) and a funny caption. Meme-making tools like Canva or meme generators can help.

Q4. Are Grimdank memes only for Warhammer fans?

Mostly yes, because they’re based on Warhammer 40K stories and characters. But if you like dark humor or sci-fi jokes, you might still enjoy them even if you’re not a big fan yet.

Q5. Is it okay to share Grimdank memes online?

Yes, as long as you respect the creators and don’t steal or claim someone else’s work. It’s best to give credit when you can and follow the rules of the group or platform you’re posting on.

Conclusion

Grimdank memes balance epic Warhammer syndromes with relatable, funny takes on everyday emotions, from dictatorship paranoia to hopeful resurrection wishes. By picking uncanny faction traits and flipping them into jokes, they build an insider connection while welcoming new fans. Use clear writing, smart SEO, and these memes to draw in readers and rank high.

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