The Nachmund Gauntlet is the biggest and steadiest passage through the Great Rift, the warp scar that splits the galaxy in two. For the Imperium it’s both a lifeline and a wound, the one corridor that lets ships and armies cross between Terra’s half of space and the stranded worlds of Imperium Nihilus.
What the gauntlet actually is
It’s a region of space in Segmentum Obscurus, built around the Nachmund Sub-Sector and sitting near the ruined husk of Cadia and the Eye of Terror. When the Cicatrix Maledictum tore open, this was the only reliable way through it for a while.
That changed later in the Indomitus Crusade, when a second passage called the Attilan Gate was found. Even so, Nachmund stayed the most important crossing, and the Imperium poured reinforcements and refugees through it.
Why it’s a war zone now
The forces of Abaddon the Despoiler have pushed hard into the gauntlet, with his herald Haarken Worldclaimer leading the charge. During the Nachmund Rift War the Imperium lost almost the entire northern end of the corridor.
What’s left is the Sanctus Wall, a defensive line of loyal systems thrown up to stop the Black Legion from flooding south. Worlds north of the wall are still nominally Imperial, but they’re cut off and largely on their own. The fall of most of Sangua Terra made things worse.
Worlds of the gauntlet
The gauntlet is thick with named worlds, and a lot of them have already fallen to Chaos. Here’s a quick look at the ones that come up most often.
| World | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vigilus | Fortress World | Northern end, a major Imperial strongpoint |
| Sangua Terra | Fortified World | Mostly lost to Chaos, site of a huge campaign |
| Dharrovar | Chaos Knight World | Northern end, held by traitors |
| Kennet Majoris | Hive World | Fallen to Chaos |
| Quarth | Knight World | Northern end, Imperial |
| Shern | Forge World | Northern end, Imperial |
| Daethe | Exodite World | Northern end, xenos-held |
| Nonavore | Bastion World | Southern end, Imperial |
| Okomeia | Knight World | Southern end, Imperial |
| Felhart Domain | Black Templars recruitment world | Southern end |
The tabletop campaign
Crusade: Nachmund Gauntlet is a 120-page expansion for the 10th edition of Warhammer 40,000, released in February 2025. It follows Crusade: Pariah Nexus and comes before Crusade: Armageddon.
It’s a narrative Crusade book, so it’s built for linking games into a campaign rather than one-off matched play. You get the story of the Sangua Terran War, rules for running a Crusade, themed battle traits and relics, and 15 missions. A core rulebook is required to use it.
Key facts
- The Nachmund Gauntlet is the largest stable route through the Great Rift, in Segmentum Obscurus.
- It sits near the remains of Cadia and the Eye of Terror.
- A second passage, the Attilan Gate, was found later in the Indomitus Crusade.
- Haarken Worldclaimer leads the Black Legion assault; the Imperium answers with the Sanctus Wall.
- Most of Sangua Terra has fallen to Chaos.
- Crusade: Nachmund Gauntlet is a 120-page 10th edition expansion released in February 2025.
FAQ
What is the Nachmund Gauntlet in Warhammer 40k?
It’s the largest and most stable route through the Great Rift, located in Segmentum Obscurus near the old Cadia system. It lets the Imperium move forces and refugees between Terra’s side of the galaxy and Imperium Nihilus.
Why is the Nachmund Gauntlet so important?
For a long stretch it was the only reliable way through the Cicatrix Maledictum. Losing it would cut the Imperium’s link to a huge chunk of its own territory, which is why both sides fight so hard over it.
What is the Sanctus Wall?
It’s a defensive network of loyal systems the Imperium is building across the gauntlet to block the Black Legion’s advance under Haarken Worldclaimer. Worlds north of it are effectively stranded.
Is there a Nachmund Gauntlet book for the tabletop?
Yes. Crusade: Nachmund Gauntlet is a 10th edition Crusade expansion released in February 2025, with campaign rules, themed upgrades, and 15 narrative missions.