A Daemon Primarch is one of the six traitor Primarchs who turned on the Emperor during the Horus Heresy and was later elevated to daemonhood by a Chaos God. They’re among the most powerful beings in the setting, and their Legions still worship them thousands of years later.
What makes a Daemon Primarch
Daemon Princes are mortal Champions of Chaos who’ve been rewarded with immortality and immense power by the Dark Gods. The Daemon Primarchs are a special case: Primarchs, the Emperor’s genetically engineered sons, who embraced Chaos and were elevated.
Unlike a typical Daemon Prince, a Daemon Primarch was already a near-mythical figure before ascending. They command the loyalty of entire Chaos Space Marine Legions, even if they rarely lead from the front.
The six traitor Primarchs
Six Primarchs turned against the Emperor: Horus, Lorgar, Perturabo, Konrad Curze, Angron, Fulgrim, and Magnus. Not all of them became Daemon Primarchs, and some sources disagree on exactly when and how each ascended.
The ones most consistently described as Daemon Primarchs are Angron, Fulgrim, Magnus the Red, Mortarion, Perturabo, and Lorgar. Each serves a specific Chaos God or Chaos Undivided, and their fates vary in the lore.
- Angron, Daemon Primarch of Khorne, leads the World Eaters.
- Fulgrim, Daemon Primarch of Slaanesh, commands the Emperor’s Children.
- Magnus the Red, Daemon Primarch of Tzeentch, rules the Thousand Sons.
- Mortarion, Daemon Primarch of Nurgle, leads the Death Guard.
- Perturabo and Lorgar are also counted among their number, though their current status is less clear in some sources.
How they operate
Daemon Primarchs usually stay within the Eye of Terror or on their own Daemon Worlds. They leave the day-to-day running of their Legions to mortal Champions and lesser commanders.
When they do take the field, they’re devastating. They wield supernatural abilities tied to their patron god, and their presence can turn the tide of a war. But they’re not invincible, and they’ve been banished back to the warp before.
Why they matter
For Chaos Space Marine players, the Daemon Primarchs are the ultimate warlords. They represent the peak of what a Chaos champion can become, and their Legions fight in their name even in their absence.
In the wider setting, they’re a reminder that the Horus Heresy never really ended. The same figures who broke the Imperium ten thousand years ago are still out there, immortal and plotting.
Key facts
- Daemon Primarchs are Primarchs who’ve been elevated to daemonhood by the Chaos Gods.
- They’re a subset of Daemon Princes, but far more powerful and legendary.
- The six most often named are Angron, Fulgrim, Magnus, Mortarion, Perturabo, and Lorgar.
- They usually reside in the Eye of Terror or on Daemon Worlds, rarely leading their Legions directly.
- Their Legions still revere them as gods, and their influence shapes Chaos Space Marine culture.
FAQ
Who are the Daemon Primarchs?
The Daemon Primarchs are the traitor Primarchs who were elevated to daemonhood by the Chaos Gods. The most commonly cited are Angron, Fulgrim, Magnus the Red, Mortarion, Perturabo, and Lorgar.
How does a Primarch become a Daemon Primarch?
They’re granted daemonhood by a Chaos God as a reward for their service and devotion. The process transforms them into immortal beings of the warp, though the exact ritual varies.
Are all traitor Primarchs Daemon Primarchs?
No. Horus was destroyed, and Konrad Curze was killed. Others like Alpharius and Omegon are ambiguous. Only some of the traitors received daemonhood.