A codex (often pluralised as codexes by Games Workshop, though the grammatically correct pluralisation is codices), in the Warhammer 40,000 tabletop wargame, is a rules supplement containing information concerning a particular army, environment, or worldwide campaign.
Contents
- Army Codexes
- 7th Edition
- 6th Edition
- ExpansionsSupplements
- Dataslates
- Altar of War
- Datasheets
- Missions
- Other
- Imperial Armour
- 5th Edition
- 4th Edition
- 3rd Edition
- 2nd Edition
- References
Codexes for particular armies were introduced for the second edition of the game. The third edition rendered these obsolete, and a new series began, including introducing codexes for battlezones and campaigns.
Until superseded by newer versions, the 3rd edition and later codexes remain valid for the newer editions of Warhammer 40,000 (currently the oldest valid codex is Codex: Chaos Space Marines - 6th Edition). Games Workshop no longer produce campaign or battlezone codexes, instead releasing 'expansions'. 'Codex' is now a term solely used for army books.
A codex normally contains:
In June 2013 Games Workshop introduced new codex supplements. Codex supplement books are additional rules and options for an army's standard Codex and contain additional background. These options often include new relic lists, warlord traits, and Special Characters to be used within the detachment. A detachment using a codex supplement may also ally with the parent codex, and vice versa. The parent Codex is required to use the supplement. For example, Iyanden is a supplement to Codex: Eldar that allows Craftworld Iyanden specific rules to be used in an Eldar army.
In June 2014 Games Workshop redesigned the basic layout of the codex, as standard for 7th Edition. New 7th Edition codexes will now contain:
A complete and comprehensive list detailing all the datasheets available for each faction is available on the Datasheet (Warhammer 40,000) Wikipedia page. This compiles a list of datasheets available throughout different Games Workshop publications that many not be included in the parent codex.
Army Codexes
The range of codexes is regularly updated with new editions of armies and occasionally new army codexes. However, all codexes prior editions of Warhammer 40,000 are still valid in the current edition, unless a later version has replaced it.
7th Edition
7th Edition was released May 2014. All 7th Edition Codexes are hardcover and full colour books.
Main Codexes
These codexes provide the core book for a faction.
Codex Supplements
The parent Codex (noted in the parenthesis) is required to use the supplement. Some 6th edition codex supplements have been revised to work with their new 7th edition codex counterpart, some of which are only available digitally as the original print versions are obsolete. Some codex supplements have had their content taken from another publication, a * will indicate these. These sorts of codex supplements are normally digital only but in the case of Farsight Enclaves, the book was printed in paperback. Waaagh! Ghazghkull appears twice as two editions are currently in print.
6th Edition
6th Edition was released June 2012. All 6th edition codexes are hardcover and full colour books, except for a few iPad/eBook only editions.
These codexes provide the core book for a faction. They contain the full background, bestiary, hobby section and army list sections.
Expansions/Supplements
A supplement is for use in standard games, though they may significantly alter the game (such as by adding super-heavy vehicles to normal games, or the many supplemental battle missions). An expansion is normally a different way to play the game (such as the large scale battles of Apocalypse, or the different campaign expansions). Supplements are considered part of the main rules available in normal games. Expansions must be agreed upon by all players before the game begins, to see if that set of expanded rules are in use. Campaign books often contain additional rules to fight specific battles between specific armies, it will often include rules updates to those armies including new datasheets, formations and detachments. Boxsets contain rules for two specific formations of two factions.
6th Edition
N.B. Apocalypse is a 6th edition expansion for large-scale battles. Within apocalypse, new rules are added through the use of Apocalypse Warzones, depicting famous battles between factions.
Dataslates
Dataslates are a way to digitally add new rules and new units to the game. For Characters, Dataslates give the full rules and points to include that character in the listed factions.
Formations are a group of units that work together in a specific battlefield role, and they are taken as a separate formation detachment (the alliance rules are in place for allied formations). For example, a primary detachment from Codex: Space Marines could take the Tau Firebase Support Cadre formation and it would count as a battle brother, however, the Space Marines would not be able to take a tyrannic formation (as tyranids can not be allies). NOTE: Multiple formation detachments may be taken.
Apocalypse units and formations follow the rules in the Apocalypse Rulebook.
Other White Dwarf Exclusive Datasheets are have been released. A complete list of these can be viewed in the section below.
A * indicates a White Dwarf Exclusive and no digital version available. A ** indicates that the datasheet was available as a pdf only as part of a Games Workshop Webstore Exclusive Bundle: containing the models on the datasheet.
Altar of War
Altar of War Missions can be used instead of the Eternal War missions in the main rulebook, however the named army's Altar of War missions can only be played if that army is one of the primary detachments in the battle. For example, a battle is being fought between Tyranids and Imperial Guard - the Imperial Guard player has also brought along a baneblade. They can either play the eternal war missions or choose to play/role on the tyranid OR Escalation Altar of War missions.
As of May 2015, White Dwarf has started to include new missions and scenarios in a new regular article known as Theatre of War. These missions can be played when agreed upon by the players instead of the standard rulebook missions. Some missions require one player to use an army of a specific faction (noted before the title of each mission when necessary). The issue number that the mission is printed in, is included in brackets.
The Bold type indicates that this publication is available in print (*Compendium: Altar of War is only available in print). Codex Supplements are available both in print and in digital formats. If the publish location reads digital, it means the digital publication, located on iTunes, is called Altar of War: (Name specified in the first column).
Datasheets
White Dwarf Exclusive Datasheets provide unique rules for units and formations omitted from a codex or are standalone models such as new fortifications (for which the models are usually included in the box). Apocalypse units and formations follow the rules in the Apocalypse Rulebook.
Missions
As of May 2015, White Dwarf has started to include new mission packs in a new regular article known as Theatre of War.
Other
As of May 2015, White Dwarf has started to include new rules packs in a new regular article known as Theatre of War.
Imperial Armour
For main article see Imperial Armour
Imperial Armour is a series of official rules supplements to Warhammer 40,000 codexes produced by Forge World, a subsidiary company of Games Workshop. Current, valid books:
7th Edition
7th Edition was released May 2014. Codex Supplements have their parent faction noted in brackets. Codex Supplements are considered obsolete when a later edition is published of either the parent codex or supplement, unless Games Workshop explicitly states otherwise.
6th Edition
6th Edition was released June 2012. Codex Supplements have their parent faction noted in brackets. Codex Supplements are considered obsolete along with their parent codex they were written for, unless Games Workshop explicitly states otherwise.
5th Edition
5th Edition was released in 2008.
4th Edition
4th Edition was released in 2004.
The * above indicates a 'mini-dex' - a smaller codex requiring a parent list to complete its army list.
3rd Edition
3rd Edition was released in 1998.
The * above indicates a 'mini-dex' - a smaller codex requiring a parent list to complete its army list. For example, Codex: Dark Angels required Codex: Space Marines for shared units and wargear. Codex: Assassins could be used with either Codex: Imperial Guard or any Space Marine army.
2nd Edition
All codexes were rendered obsolete by 3rd edition Warhammer 40,000. 2nd Edition was released in 1993.
The * above indicates a 'mini-dex' - a smaller codex requiring a parent list to complete its army list.
3rd Edition
Battlezone
Battlezone codexes were rules supplements that dealt with a specialised combat environment, instead of an army. There was only ever one produced. However, material in Codex: Catachans provides rules for jungle warfare. The concept of a Battlezone codex was replaced by Games Workshop's Expansions.
3rd Edition Events
The two event codexes were released in association with the 2000 and 2003 Worldwide Campaigns. These codexes provided background and special gaming rules for the event, along with four "supplemental army lists"; variant armies that required access to certain other Codices for use.
Dataslates
A * indicates a White Dwarf Exclusive and no digital version was available. A ** indicates that the datasheet was available as a pdf only as part of a Games Workshop Webstore Exclusive Bundle: containing the models on the datasheet.
Altar of War
The Bold type indicates that this publication was available in print. Codex Supplements were available both in print and in digital formats. If the publish location reads digital, it means the digital publication, located on iTunes, was called Altar of War: (Name specified in the first column).