Dwarves Versus Dwarfs in Warhammer

Dwarves Versus Dwarfs: A Tale of Two Beards

This hilarious meme pokes fun at the often-confused terminology between “Dwarves” and “Dwarfs,” using two instantly recognizable archetypes to drive the joke home. On the left is a soft, rotund figure clearly inspired by Tolkien’s take on Dwarves—specifically Gimli from The Lord of the Rings—with his neatly braided beard and cozy, fur-lined attire. He looks like he’s more at home around a hearth with a mug of ale than on a battlefield. This version represents the classical, mythic dwarf of fantasy literature—honorable, slightly comical, and endlessly loyal. The term “Dwarves” was famously popularized by Tolkien himself, who chose it to make his creatures feel more ancient and distinct. It’s a peaceful image, full of tradition and warmth.

The Grimdark Might of Warhammer Dwarfs

On the right, the mood shifts dramatically with a Warhammer “Dwarf”—musclebound, ferocious, and ready to hurl himself into certain death with dual axes in hand. This is a Slayer, a type of Dwarf who has taken an oath to seek out the most lethal foes and die a glorious death in battle. His beard is wild, his mohawk is on fire, and the only thing louder than his roar is the crunch of whatever chaos beast he’s about to decapitate. Unlike Tolkien’s version, Warhammer’s Dwarfs are gritty, angry, and hardened by a world of endless war and betrayal. The spelling “Dwarfs” is the original English plural, retained by Games Workshop to give their version a brutal edge. In this meme, the contrast is not just linguistic—it’s a full cultural shift from hearthfire to hellfire.