Codex

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Codex (plural codices) is the name of a source book for Warhammer 40,000 armies and factions containing background information, pictures, and rules.

General Info

Since its creation in the 80's Warhammer 40,000 has had 5 distinct versions or editions. With each edition the Codex of each army has changed to reflect the new rules and units.

Usually one codex is valid until a revision is made, so all codexes from 4th and 3rd editions of Warhammer 40,000 are still valid in the current, 5th edition, unless a later version has replaced it. There have been instances of codeices that are not "stand-alone". They were known as "mini-dexes". These were usually army lists that were variants of a main stream army. An example would be the early 3rd edition Codex: Catachans, which required the main Codex: Imperial Guard to use. Mini-dexes are more or less extinct nowadays. The only mini-dex still in use the Space Wolves one, which uses some of the regular Space Marine Codex rules. However, the Space Wolves are getting a new codex in the next six months. After this, there will never again be a mini-dex.

Current list of codexes

This is the list of codexes which can be used to play today.

Army codexes

5th Edition codexes

4th edition codexes

3rd edition codexes

Expansions

5th edition expansions

4th edition expansions

3rd edition expansions

All codexes ever published

First Edition

While the term Codex was not yet used a number of books were comparable. Like the more modern editions they included units and rules which were compiled from the White Dwarf magazine.

Overview

Second Edition

The second edition was substantially more colorful and the new Codex books reflected this fact. More detailed information, such as background and organization, was included, adding more depth and details to the Warhammer 40,0000 universe.

Overview

Besides the regular army books there were others that carried the title codex. A codex for the basic style of play, various army lists, and rules were published.

Third Edition

The third edition of codexes were much smaller and less detailed than the second. This is because several new races were invented and five or six codices a year could be produced, so this system did have its uses. However, many fans hated the new style of codies and in fourth edition a more detailed approach was taken again. At the moment, only the Necrons, Dark Eldar and the Space Wolves are using a third edition codex, and both are getting new ones in the next year, so third edition codices will soon be completely phased out. There is one exception in the designations, the Ork Codex became the Ork Kodex.

Overview

Revisions

Some codexes were amended or rewritten during 3rd edition.

Overview

Campaign and Settings

Within the third edition a new type of codexes were published. Rather than providing information on a specific force, these included new rules and background for environments or planetary campaigns.

Overview

Fourth Edition

With the introduction of the 4th edition of Warhammer 40,000 the codexes have been updated and re-released.

Overview

Campaigns and Expansion

As in 3rd edition, the 4th edition of the rules also has introduced codexes that deal more than with a single force, but rather expand the rules for select settings and situations.

Overview

Fifth Edition

Overview

Campaigns and Expansion

Overview

Yet to be released codexes include:

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