Arachnarok spider (Warhammer)

Overview

Arachnarok spiders are immense arachnids associated with Spiderfang communities. Their bodies can support whole war parties and mounted structures, making them both dangerous animals and mobile platforms for grots. The Age of Sigmar publisher account identifies them as mounts for shamans and as carriers of artillery structures. Their size distinguishes them from ordinary spider riders' animals without requiring every painted colour or mounted configuration to become a species.

The secondary Mortal Realms reference describes the spiders as intelligent and records their religious importance to Spiderfang grots. Worship as a manifestation of the Spider God is a cultural interpretation, not a requirement that every specimen literally be the deity. The corresponding fantasy and Old World treatments share a monster concept while using distinct setting histories and rules. This profile uses the Mortal Realms account as its main context and keeps older-world references clearly comparative. Howdah crew, venom rolls and platform upgrades are game implementations rather than fixed zoological measurements.

First appearances & development

The baseline is the Arachnarok of Age of Sigmar, checked in publisher descriptions of the Spiderfang and Gloomspite forces. An Old World unit reference supplies an explicitly separate rules comparison. Both settings use a giant spider concept, but this entry does not combine their world histories or claim that identical miniature equipment proves identical continuity.

Canon & continuity

The official Gloomspite account supports shaman mounts and mobile platforms, while the Mortal Realms reference attributes intelligence and Spider God worship. The separate Old World unit page documents another rules implementation. These sources support a giant warbeast and its religious relationship without proving divine identity or merging all fantasy editions into one environment.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

1. 01

   Hit Hard and Run Away – Kunnin’ Tricks That Will See the Gloomspite Gitz On Top in the New Edition

   Warhammer Community / Games Workshop · 2021

   Publisher account of Spiderfang mounts and Arachnarok battlefield use.

2. 02

   Warhammer Age of Sigmar Faction Focus: Gloomspite Gitz

   Warhammer Community / Games Workshop · 2024

   23 May faction account and edition-specific creature roles.

Family & connections

A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

1. OfficialHit Hard and Run Away – Kunnin’ Tricks That Will See the Gloomspite Gitz On Top in the New EditionResearch access: 2026-10-05
2. OfficialWarhammer Age of Sigmar Faction Focus: Gloomspite GitzResearch access: 2026-10-05
3. ReferenceArachnarok spider (Warhammer) — identified secondary creature referenceResearch access: 2026-10-05
4. ReferenceThe Old World — Arachnarok unit referenceResearch access: 2026-10-05

Image credits

A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.