Codex
Codex (plural codices or codexes) 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.
Current list of codices
This is the list of codices which can be used to play today.
Army codices
5th Edition codices
4th edition codexes
- Codex: Black Templars (4th Edition)
- Blood Angels[1]
- Catachans (Available to download http://uk.games-workshop.com/imperialguard/catachan-rules/1/ )
- Chaos Daemons ISBN 1-84154-8791 released May 2008
- Chaos Space Marines ISBN: 978-1-84154-842-5 released September 2007
- Dark Angels
- Eldar ISBN 1-84154-791-3 released 2006
- Orks ISBN: 978-1-84154-852-4 released January 2008
- Tau Empire ISBN 1-84154-712-3 released 2006
- Tyranids ISBN 1-84154-650-X released 2004
3rd edition codexes
- Daemonhunters
- Dark Eldar (2nd version) ISBN 1-869893-31-7 released 1998
- Imperial Guard (2nd version) ISBN 1-85154-410-8 released 2003
- Necrons ISBN 1-84154-190-7 released 2002
- Space Wolves (a "mini-dex"; needs to be used in conjunction with Codex: Space Marines, cannot be used on its own)
- Witch Hunters
Expansions
4th edition expansions
- Apocalypse Large scale battles
- Apocalypse Reload (supplement)
- Cities of Death Urban warfare</ref>
3rd edition expansions
- Codex Feral Orks, present in Chapter Approved 2003 can be downloaded from here [1] .
- Eye of Terror (Space Wolf 13th company rules not yet superseded)
All Codices 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 Codices were much smaller and less detailed than the second. 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 codices were published. Rather then 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 Codices have been updated and re-released.
Overview 
Codex: Blood Angels (4th Edition) cover from .pdf
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 Codices include:
- Codex: Dark Eldar (5th Edition)
- Codex: Space Wolves (5th Edition)
- Codex: Imperial Guard (5th Edition)
- Codex: Necrons (5th Edition)
- ↑ Presented in two parts in White Dwarf (UK) issues #330 and #331, and subsequently available online from the GW website, with long-term plan to publish this list in a new book.
