Codex (Warhammer 40,000)
A codex (often pluralised as codexes by Games Workshop, though the grammatically correct pluralisation is codices), [1] in the Warhammer 40,000 tabletop wargame, is a rules supplement containing information concerning a particular army, environment, or worldwide campaign.
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Until superseded by newer versions, the 3rd edition and later codexes remain valid for the newer editions of Warhammer 40,000 (currently the oldest valid codex is Codex: Chaos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:
- Background - Information about the force and its place in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. This includes artwork, short stories, and copies of fictional documents from the future.
- Bestiary - A description of the units, characters and vehicles that can be chosen for use in a battle. This includes their characteristic values, information on their weapons, and any limitations on their use, as well as background information on the unit. The army's special psychic powers (if any) and wargear is also listed here, showing the rules for each item, as well as any legendary artifacts the army may use.
- Hobby section - Information on collecting, building and painting an army from the codex. This features outstanding example models painted by veteran hobbyists and Games Workshop's 'Eavy Metal team.
- Army list - The items in the bestiary are arranged by type and given a points value, with more powerful units costing more points, so that battles are fought between balanced armies. Options are also given here along with their cost.
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:
- Background - Information about the force and its place in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. This includes artwork, short stories, and copies of fictional documents from the future - (The same style as before).
- Showcase - This is the old Hobby Section that now contains just pictures of the Citadel Miniatures; painted by Games Workshop's 'Eavy Metal team.
- Army List - This contains datasheets for every unit and a wargear list. A datasheet contains the complete rules and points values needed to field a unit and a picture of the model from the Citadel Miniatures range. It also includes a description of the unit, as per the old bestiary.
- Appendix - This contains a complete, detailed list of all the army's weapons, special rules, psychic powers, warlord traits and any detachments or tactical objectives it may have. It also contains a quick reference sheet at the very back.
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.
Current Books
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 | ISBN | Release Date |
| Imperial Agents | ISBN TBA | December 2016 |
| Genestealer Cults | ISBN 978-1785812712 | September 2016 |
| Deathwatch | ISBN 978-1785811562 | August 2016 |
| Tau Empire | ISBN 978-1785810091 | October 2015 |
| Dark Angels | ISBN 978-1782537526 | June 2015 |
| Space Marines | ISBN 978-1782537472 | June 2015 |
| Cult Mechanicus | ISBN 978-1782537427 | May 2015 |
| Imperial Knights | ISBN 978-1782537342 | May 2015 |
| Craftworlds | ISBN 978-1782537304 | April 2015 |
| Skitarii | ISBN 978-1782537380 | April 2015 |
| Khorne Daemonkin | ISBN 978-1782537267 | March 2015 |
| Harlequins | ISBN 978-1782536833 | February 2015 |
| Necrons | ISBN 978-1782536079 | January 2015 |
| Blood Angels | ISBN 978-1782536123 | December 2014 |
| Dark Eldar | ISBN 978-1782534839 | October 2014 |
| Grey Knights | ISBN 978-1782533702 | August 2014 |
| Space Wolves | ISBN 978-1782533818 | August 2014 |
| Orks | ISBN 978-1782533290 | June 2014 |
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.
| Codex Supplement | ISBN | Release Date |
| Traitor Legions (Chaos Space Marines) | TBA | December 2016 |
| Angels of Death (Space Marines) | TBA | April 2016 |
| Crimson Slaughter (Chaos Space Marines) | TBA | April 2016 |
| Black Legion (Chaos Space Marines) | TBA | April 2016 |
| Farsight Enclaves (Tau Empire) | TBA | February 2016* |
| Waaagh! Ghazghkull (Orks) | TBA | February 2016 (Reprint) |
| Cadia (Astra Militarum) | Digital Only* | January 2016 |
| Flesh Tearers (Blood Angels) | Digital Only* | January 2016 |
| White Scars (Space Marines) | Digital Only* | January 2016 |
| Raven Guard (Space Marines) | Digital Only* | January 2016 |
| Clan Raukaan (Space Marines) | Digital Only | June 2015 |
| Sentinels of Terra (Space Marines) | Digital Only | June 2015 |
| Haemonculus Covens (Dark Eldar) | ISBN 978-1782534938 | October 2014 |
| Champions of Fenris (Space Wolves) | ISBN 978-1782533993 | August 2014 |
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.
| Codex | ISBN | Release Date |
| Astra Militarum | ISBN 978-1782532590 | April 2014 |
| Militarum Tempestus | ISBN 978-1782533047 | April 2014 |
| Legion of the Damned | ISBN 978-1782535263 | March 2014 (Digital Only Release) |
| Tyranids | ISBN 978-1782531951 | January 2014 |
| Inquisition | ISBN 978-1782534044 | November 2013 (Digital Only Release) |
| Adepta Sororitas | ISBN 978-1782533603 | October 2013 (Digital Only Release) |
| Chaos Daemons | ISBN 978-1908872883 | March 2013 |
| Chaos Space Marines | ISBN 978-1908872029 | October 2012 |
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.
7th Edition
| Supplement | Subject | Kind | ISBN | Release Date |
| War Zone Fenris: Wrath of Magnus | Thousand Sons Update | Campaign | ISBN TBA | February 2016 |
| Planetary Onslaught | Planetstrike, Cities of Death Compendium | Expansion | ISBN TBA | November 2016 |
| Black Crusade: Angel's Blade | Blood Angels Update | Campaign | ISBN 978-1785817182 | September 2016 |
| Black Crusade: Traitor's Hate | Chaos Space Marines Update | Campaign | ISBN TBA | September 2016 |
| Kill Team | Small Skirmish Games | Expansion | ISBN TBA | September 2016 |
| Death Masque | Deathwatch vs Harlequins | Boxset | N/A - Boxset | August 2016 |
| Death from the Skies | Expanded Rules for Flyers | Supplement | ISBN 978-1785810961 | May 2016 |
| War Zone Fenris: Curse of the Wulfen | Space Wolves and Daemons Updates | Campaign | ISBN 978-1785810671 | February 2016 |
| Path to Glory | Campaign | Expansion | Digital Edition | December 2015 |
| War Zone Damocles: Mont'ka | Tau, Astra Militarum and Assassins Updates | Campaign | TBA | November 2015 |
| War Zone Damocles: Kauyon | Tau Empire and Space Marines Updates | Campaign | TBA | November 2015 |
| War Zone Damocles: Burning Dawn | Tau Empire | Boxset | N/A - Boxset | November 2015 |
| Damocles: Operation Shadowtalon | Raven Guard | Boxset | N/A - Boxset | November 2015 |
| Blood Oath | Warhammer World Campaign | Expansion | ISBN 978-1785721182 | May 2015 |
| Shield of Baal: Exterminatus | Blood Angels and Necrons Detachments | Campaign | ISBN 978-1782536253 | December 2014 |
| Shield of Baal: Deathstorm | Blood Angels vs Tyranids | Boxset | N/A - Boxset | December 2014 |
| Shield of Baal: Leviathan | Cities of Death and Tyranids Update | Campaign | ISBN 978-1782536192 | November 2014 |
| Planetstrike | Sanctus Reach Planetstrike Compendium | Expansion | Digital Edition | September 2014 |
| Sanctus Reach: Hour of the Wolf | Planetrike Missions and Space Wolves | Campaign | ISBN 978-1782534211 | August 2014 |
| Sanctus Reach: Stormclaw | Space Wolves vs Orks | Boxset | N/A - Boxset | July 2014 |
| Sanctus Reach: The Red Waaagh! | Planetstrike Rules and Orks | Campaign | ISBN 978-1782533375 | July 2014 |
6th Edition
| Supplement | Subject | Kind | ISBN | Release Date |
| Compendium: Altar of War | Additional Battle Missions | Supplement | ISBN 978-1782535997 | April 2014 |
| Escalation | Lords of War | Supplement | ISBN 978-1782532552 | December 2013 |
| Apocalypse | Large-scale battles | Expansion* | ISBN 978-1782530473 | July 2013 |
| Death Worlds | Digital Campaign | Expansion | Digital Edition | June 2013 |
| Campaign: Crusade of Fire | Campaign and Additional Rules | Expansion | ISBN 978-1908872210 | November 2012 |
| Altar of War | Additional Battle Missions | Supplement | Various - See Digital Releases | 2012–Present |
Apocalypse
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.
| Supplement | Subject | ISBN | Release Date |
| Valedor | Apocalypse Warzone | ISBN 978-1782532057 | May 2014 |
| Damocles | Apocalypse Warzone | ISBN 978-1782532354 | March 2014 |
| Pandorax | Apocalypse Warzone | ISBN 978-1782531012 | November 2013 |
| Damnos | Apocalypse Warzone | ISBN 978-1782530893 | September 2013 |
| Apocalypse | Large-scale battles | ISBN 978-1782530473 | July 2013 |
5th Edition
| Supplement | Subject | Kind | ISBN | Release Date |
| Planetary Empires | Map-based Campaigns | Expansion | N/A - Boxset | August 2009 |
Digital Releases
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.
| Dataslate | Kind | Faction | Release Date |
| Strike Force Daggerfist** | Formation | Space Wolves | February 2016 |
| Battlegroup Hammerblow** | Formation | Astra Militarum | November 2015 |
| Tidewall Counterstrike Cadre** | Formation | Tau Empire | October 2015 |
| Skyhammer Annihilation Force** | Formation | Space Marines | June 2015 |
| Cohort Mechanicus** | Formation | Adeptus Mechanicus | May 2015 |
| Space Marine HQ Command Tanks | Vehicle Unit | Space Marines, Blood Angels, Dark Angels, Space Wolves | May 2015 |
| The Exalted Court of House Terryn** | Formation | Imperial Knights | May 2015 |
| Plasma Obliterator Aquila Strongpoint** | Fortification | Factionless | April 2015 |
| Khârn's Butcherhorde | Formation | Chaos Space Marines | December 2014 |
| Dark Angels Librarius Conclave | Formation | Dark Angels | December 2014 |
| Kranon's Helguard | Formation | Chaos Space Marines | December 2014 |
| The Unrelenting Hunt | Formation | Dark Angels | December 2014 |
| Officio Assassinorum | 4 Assassins | Officio Assassinorum | August 2014 |
| Space Marine Strike Force Ultra | 3 Formations | Space Marines | May 2014 |
| Tyranid Onslaught - Rising Leviathan III | 5 Formations | Tyranids | March 2014 |
| Helbrutes | 3 Formations | Chaos Space Marines | March 2014 |
| Tyranid Invasion - Rising Leviathan II | 5 Formations | Tyranids | March 2014 |
| Tyranid Vanguard - Rising Leviathan I | 5 Formations | Tyranids | January 2014 |
| Tyrannic War Veterans | Unit + Formation | Space Marines (Chapter Tactics: Ultramarines) | January 2014 |
| Cypher - Lord of the Fallen | Character (Unique) | Imperium (except Dark Angels), Chaos Space Marines | December 2013 |
| Reclusiam Command Squad | Formation | Space Marines | December 2013 |
| Centurion Siegebreaker Cohort | Apocalypse Formation | Space Marines | December 2013 |
| Adeptus Astartes Stormwing | Formation | Space Marines | December 2013 |
| Be'lakor, The Dark Master | Character (Unique) | Chaos Daemons, Chaos Space Marines | December 2013 |
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.
| Altar of War | Publish Location | Release Date |
| Cryostorm | Digital | December 2014 |
| Haemonculus Covens | Supplement: Haemonculus Covens | October 2014 |
| Champions of Fenris | Supplement: Champions of Fenris | August 2014 |
| Waaagh! Ghazghkull | Supplement: Waaagh! Ghazghkull | July 2014 |
| Compendium: Altar of War | Compendium: Altar of War* | April 2014 |
| Crimson Slaughter | Supplement: Crimson Slaughter | March 2014 |
| Imperial Knights | Digital & Altar of War | March 2014 |
| Tyranids | Digital & Altar of War | January 2014 |
| Escalation | Escalation | December 2013 |
| Clan Raukaan | Supplement: Clan Raukaan & Altar of War | November 2013 |
| Sentinels of Terra | Supplement: Sentinels of Terra & Altar of War | October 2013 |
| Space Marines II | Digital | September 2013 |
| Black Legion | Supplement: Black Legion & Altar of War | August 2013 |
| Altar of War Vol. 1 | Digital | July 2013 |
| Eldar | Digital & Altar of War Vol. 1 & Altar of War | June 2013 |
| Tau Empire | Digital & Altar of War Vol. 1 & Altar of War | April 2013 |
| Chaos Daemons | Digital & Altar of War Vol. 1 & Altar of War | March 2013 |
| Dark Angels | Digital & Altar of War Vol. 1 & Altar of War | February 2013 |
| Chaos Space Marines | Digital & Altar of War Vol. 1 & Altar of War | February 2013 |
| Space Marines I | Digital & Altar of War Vol. 1 & Altar of War | August 2012 |
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).
Other
| Publication | Subject | Release Date |
| Datacards: White Scars | Tactical Objectives | December 2014 |
| Echoes of War: Ravenguard - Loss | Mission Pack | December 2014 |
| Echoes of War: Astra Militarum - Last Step Backwards | Mission Pack | December 2014 |
| Echoes of War: Flesh Tearers - A Son's Burden | Mission Pack | December 2014 |
| First Blood: An Altar of War Selection Pack | Mission Pack | December 2014 |
| On Contaminated Ground | Apocalypse Mission | December 2013 |
| Carnage | 4 player Mission | December 2013 |
White Dwarf Exclusive Rules
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.
| Dataslate | Kind | Faction | Issue | Release Date |
| Adeptus Mechanicus War Convocation | Formation | Adeptus Mechanicus | White Dwarf 69 | May 2015 |
| Plasma Obliterator | Fortification | Factionless | White Dwarf 63 | April 2015 |
| Mephrit Dynasty Resurgence Decurion | Formation | Necrons | White Dwarf 47 | December 2014 |
| Flesh Tearers Blood Rain Strike Force | Formation | Blood Angels | White Dwarf 47 | December 2014 |
| Angel's Fury Spearhead Force | Formation | Blood Angels | White Dwarf 47 | December 2014 |
| Angel's Wrath Intervention Force | Formation | Blood Angels | White Dwarf 47 | December 2014 |
| Gerantius - The Forgotten Knight | Vehicle (Character) | Imperial Knights | White Dwarf 24 | July 2014 |
| Looted Wagon | Vehicle | Orks | White Dwarf 21 | June 2014 |
| Kabalite Stormsurge | Apocalypse Formation | Dark Eldar | White Dwarf 15 | May 2014 |
| Exalted Flamer of Tzeentch | Character | Chaos Daemons | White Dwarf 7 | March 2014 |
Missions
As of May 2015, White Dwarf has started to include new mission packs in a new regular article known as Theatre of War.
| Name | Issue | Release Date |
| Altar of War: Dark Angels - Hunt the Fallen | White Dwarf 74 | June 2015 |
| Altar of War: Dark Angels - The Battle of Piscina IV | White Dwarf 73 | June 2015 |
| Altar of War: Space Marines - The Emperor's Finest | White Dwarf 70 | May 2015 |
| Altar of War - Archeotech Hunt | White Dwarf 68 | May 2015 |
| Altar of War: Imperial Knights - Gods of War | White Dwarf 66 | May 2015 |
Other
As of May 2015, White Dwarf has started to include new rules packs in a new regular article known as Theatre of War.
| Rules | Issue | Release Date |
| Warlord Traits: Black Templars | White Dwarf 72 | June 2015 |
| Warlord Traits: Crimson Fists | White Dwarf 72 | June 2015 |
| Datacards: Salamanders | White Dwarf 71 | June 2015 |
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:
| Codex | Notes | ISBN | Release Date |
| Imperial Armour - The Siege of Vraks | Death Korps of Krieg, Red Scorpions, Grey Knights, World Eaters & Chaos Renegades | ISBN TBA | 2015 |
| Imperial Armour Volume Thirteen - War Machines of the Lost and the Damned | Chaos Space Marines, Chaos Renegades & Chaos Daemons | ISBN 978-1782536062 | September 2014 |
| Imperial Armour Volume Four Second Edition - The Anphelion Project | Tyranids, Imperial Guard & Space Marines | ISBN 978-1782535287 | July 2014 |
| Imperial Armour Volume Two Second Edition - War Machines of the Adeptus Astartes | Adepta Sororitas, Space Marines & Forces of the Inquisition | ISBN 978-1782533023 | December 2013 |
| Imperial Armour Apocalypse | Companion volume to Warhammer 40,000 Apocalypse, containing new battle formations as well as new Apocalypse-compatible game statistics for several Forge World models | ISBN 978-1782531067 | August 2013 |
| Imperial Armour Volume Three Second Edition - The Taros Campaign | Tau & Elysian Drop Troops | ISBN 978-1908872791 | June 2013 |
| Imperial Armour Volume 12: The Fall of Orpheus | Necrons, Minotaurs & Death Korps of Krieg | ISBN 978-1908872951 | May 2013 |
| Imperial Armour Volume One Second Edition - Imperial Guard | Imperial Guard | ISBN 978-1907964084 | December 2012 |
| Imperial Armour Aeronautica | Update and compilation of fliers and anti-aircraft units for 6th Edition release of Warhammer 40k | ISBN 978-190796495-4 | July 2012 |
| Imperial Armour Volume 11: The Doom of Mymeara | Imperial Guard, Space Wolves & Eldar | ISBN 978-1-907964-16-9 | December 2011 |
| Imperial Armour Volume Ten - The Badab War - Part Two | Siege Vanguard Assault | ISBN 978-1-90796-401-5 | January 2011 |
| Imperial Armour Volume Nine - The Badab War - Part One | The Tyrant’s Legion | ISBN 978-1-84154-995-8 | 2010 |
| Imperial Armour Volume Eight - Raid on Kastorel-Novem | Elysian Drop Troop, Raven Guard & Orks | ISBN 978-1-84154-977-4 | May 2010 |
Obsolete Books
Codices
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.
| Codex Supplement | ISBN | Release Date | Superseded by |
| Waaagh! Ghazghkull (Orks) | ISBN 978-1782534600 | July 2014 | 7th Edition Reprint |
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.
| Codex | ISBN | Release Date | Superseded by |
| Imperial Knights | ISBN 978-1782532453 | March 2014 | 7th Edition Codex: Imperial Knights |
| Space Marines | ISBN 978-1782530763 | September 2013 | 7th Edition Codex: Space Marines |
| Eldar | ISBN 978-1782532125 | June 2013 | 7th Edition Codex: Craftworlds |
| Tau Empire | ISBN 978-1782530039 | April 2013 | 7th Edition Codex: Tau Empire |
| Dark Angels | ISBN 978-1908872265 | January 2013 | 7th Edition Codex: Dark Angels |
| Codex Supplement | ISBN | Release Date | Superseded by |
| Crimson Slaughter (Chaos Space Marines) | ISBN 978-1782533108 | March 2014 | 7th Edition Revised Version |
| Clan Raukaan (Space Marines) | ISBN 978-1782534068 | November 2013 | 7th Edition Revised Version |
| Sentinels of Terra (Space Marines) | ISBN 978-1782533658 | October 2013 | 7th Edition Revised Version |
| Black Legion (Chaos Space Marines) | ISBN 978-1782533016 | August 2013 | 7th Edition Revised Version |
| Farsight Enclaves (Tau Empire) | ISBN 978-1782532224 | July 2013 | 7th Edition Revised Version |
| Iyanden (Eldar) | ISBN 978-1782531074 | June 2013 | 7th Edition Codex: Craftworlds |
5th Edition
5th Edition was released in 2008.
| Codex | ISBN | Release Date | Superseded by |
| Necrons | ISBN 978-1907964183 | November 2011 | 7th Edition Codex: Necrons |
| Sisters of Battle | N/A - White Dwarf | August/September 2011 | 6th Edition iBook Codex: Adepta Sororitas |
| Grey Knights | ISBN 978-1841549910 | April 2011 | 7th Edition Codex: Grey Knights |
| Dark Eldar | ISBN 978-1841549781 | November 2010 | 7th Edition Codex: Dark Eldar |
| Blood Angels | ISBN 978-1841549606 | April 2010 | 7th Edition Codex: Blood Angels |
| Tyranids | ISBN 978-1841549514 | January 2010 | 6th Edition Codex: Tyranids |
| Space Wolves | ISBN 978-1841540108 | October 2009 | 7th Edition Codex: Space Wolves |
| Imperial Guard | ISBN 978-1841549231 | May 2009 | 6th Edition Codex: Astra Militarum |
| Space Marines | ISBN 978-1841548944 | October 2008 | 6th Edition Codex: Space Marines |
4th Edition
4th Edition was released in 2004.
| Codex | ISBN | Release Date | Superseded by |
| Chaos Daemons | ISBN 978-1841548791 | May 2008 | 6th Edition Codex: Chaos Daemons |
| Orks | ISBN 978-1841548524 | January 2008 | 7th Edition Codex: Orks |
| Chaos Space Marines | ISBN 978-1841548425 | September 2007 | 6th Edition Codex: Chaos Space Marines |
| Blood Angels | N/A[2] | June/July 2007 | 5th Edition Codex: Blood Angels |
| Dark Angels | ISBN 1-84154-807-3 | March 2007 | 6th Edition Codex: Dark Angels |
| Eldar | ISBN 1-84154-791-3 | November 2006 | 6th Edition Codex: Eldar |
| Tau Empire | ISBN 1-84154-712-3 | March 2006 | 6th Edition Codex: Tau Empire |
| Black Templars | ISBN 1-84154-685-2 | November 2005 | 6th Edition Codex: Space Marines |
| Tyranids | ISBN 1-84154-650-X | June 2005 | 5th Edition Codex: Tyranids |
| Catachans* | ISBN 1-84154-016-1 | 2005 | 5th Edition Codex: Imperial Guard |
| Space Marines | ISBN 1-84154-526-0 | November 2004 | 5th Edition Codex: Space Marines |
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.
| Codex | ISBN | Release Date | Superseded by |
| Witch Hunters | ISBN 1-84154-485-X | April 2004 | 5th edition Sisters of Battle White Dwarf list |
| Dark Eldar (revised) | ISBN 1-84154-307-1 | November 2003[3] | 5th edition codex |
| Imperial Guard (second version) | ISBN 1-84154-410-8 | September 2003 | 5th edition codex |
| Daemonhunters | ISBN 1-84154-361-6 | March 2003 | 5th edition Codex: Grey Knights |
| *Dark Angels (updated second printing) | ISBN 1-84154-302-0 | Nov 2002 | 4th edition codex |
| Chaos Space Marines (second version) | ISBN 1-84154-322-5 | October 2002 | 4th edition codex |
| Necrons | ISBN 1-84154-190-7 | July 2002 | 5th edition Codex: Necrons |
| Tau | ISBN 1-84154-098-6 | October 2001 | 4th edition Codex: Tau Empire |
| Tyranids | ISBN 1-84154-013-7 | February 2001 | 4th edition codex |
| *Craftworld Eldar | ISBN 1-84154-029-3 | June 2000 | 4th edition Codex: Eldar |
| *Space Wolves[4] | ISBN 1-84154-010-2 | April 2000 | 5th edition codex |
| *Catachans | ISBN 1-84154-016-1 | February 2000 | 4th edition free download codex |
| Imperial Guard (first version) | ISBN 1-869893-52-2 | November 1999 | Second 3rd edition codex |
| Eldar | ISBN 1-869893-39-5 | August 1999 | 4th edition codex |
| Orks | ISBN 1-869893-38-7 | July 1999 | 4th edition codex |
| *Assassins | ISBN 1-84154-019-6 | July 1999 | Rules in Codex: Daemonhunters and Codex: Witch Hunters |
| *Dark Angels (original version) | ISBN 1-869893-67-0 | May 1999 | Updated second printing of 3rd edition codex |
| Chaos Space Marines (first version) | ISBN 1-869893-49-2 | February 1999 | Second 3rd edition codex |
| *Blood Angels | ISBN 1-869893-45-X | December 1998 | 4th edition White Dwarf list |
| Dark Eldar (original version) | ISBN 1-869893-41-7 | November 1998 | Updated second printing (3rd edition) |
| Space Marines | ISBN 1-869893-28-X | October 1998 | 4th edition codex |
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.
| Codex | ISBN | Release Date |
| Sisters of Battle | ISBN 1-872372-14-7 | August 1997 |
| *Assassins | ISBN 1-872372-05-8 | June 1997 |
| Angels of Death (rules for both Dark Angels and Blood Angels) | ISBN 1-872372-96-1 | 1996 |
| Chaos | ISBN 1-872372-47-3 | 1996 |
| Ultramarines (also covering other 'standard' Space Marine armies) | ISBN 1-872372-87-2 | 1995 |
| Tyranids (rules for both Tyranids and Genestealer Cults) | ISBN 1-872372-90-2 | 1995 |
| Imperial Guard | ISBN 1-872372-92-9 | 1995 |
| Space Wolves | ISBN 1-872372-71-6 | 1994 |
| Orks | ISBN 1-872372-76-7 | 1994 |
| Eldar | ISBN 1-872372-74-0 | 1994 |
The * above indicates a 'mini-dex' - a smaller codex requiring a parent list to complete its army list.
Expansions/Supplements
6th Edition
| Book | Notes | ISBN | Release Date | Superseded by |
| Kill Team | Small Skirmish Games | Digital Edition | December 2013 | 7th Edition Kill Team |
| Stronghold Assault | Siege Warfare | ISBN 978-1782531753 | December 2013 | Planetary Onslaught |
| Compendium: Death from the Skies | Flier Rules Compendium | ISBN 978-1782530657 | February 2013 | 7th Edition Shield of Baal: Leviathan |
5th Edition
| Book | Notes | ISBN | Release Date | Superseded by |
| Death Worlds | Additional Battle Scenarios | N/A - White Dwarf | April 2012 | Death Worlds - Digital 6th Edition |
| Spearhead | Mechanized Armies | N/A - White Dwarf | June 2010 | 7th Edition & Formations |
| Battle Missions | Additional Battle Scenarios | ISBN 978-1841549118 | March 2010 | Eternal War, Maelstrom of War, Altar of War & Echoes of War |
| Planetstrike | Planetary Invasions | ISBN 978-1841549316 | July 2009 | 7th Edition Sanctus Reach Campaign/Planetstrike |
| Apocalypse Reload | Supplement to Apocalypse | ISBN 978-1-84154-893-7 | August 2008 | 6th Edition Apocalypse Book |
4th Edition
| Book | Notes | ISBN | Release Date | Superseded by |
| Apocalypse | Large-scale battles | ISBN 1-84154-838-3 | October 2007 | 6th Edition Apocalypse Book |
| Cities of Death[5] | Urban Warfare | ISBN 1-84154-749-2 | June 2006 | 7th Edition Shield of Baal: Leviathan |
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.
| Codex | ISBN | Release Date | Superseded by |
| Cityfight | ISBN 1-84154-093-5 | September 2001 | 4th edition expansion Cities of Death |
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.
| Codex | Obsolete army lists | ISBN | Release Date | Superseded by |
| Eye of Terror[6] | Lost and the Damned, Ulthwé Strike Force, Cadian Shock Troops, 13th Company | ISBN 1-84154-398-5 | June 2003 | 4th Edition Codex: Eldar; Chaos Space Marines and 5th Edition Codex: Imperial Guard; Space Wolves |
| Armageddon[7] | Black Templars, Salamanders, Speed Freeks, Armageddon Imperial Guard | ISBN 1-84154-045-5 | August 2000 | 4th Edition Codex: Space Marines; Black Templars; Orks and 5th Edition Codex: Imperial Guard |
Digital Releases
Dataslates
| Dataslate | Kind | Faction | Release Date |
| Tau Firebase Support Cadre | Formation | Tau Empire | December 2013 |
| Eldar Ghost Warriors | Formation | Codex: Eldar | December 2013 |
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
| Altar of War | Publish Location | Release Date |
| Farsight Enclaves | Supplement: Farsight Enclaves & Altar of War Vol. 1 & Altar of War | July 2013 |
| Iyanden | Supplement: Iyanden & Altar of War Vol. 1 & Altar of War | June 2013 |
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).
Imperial Armour
| Book | Notes | ISBN | Release Date | Superseded by |
| Imperial Armour Volume Seven - The Siege of Vraks Part three | Forces of the Inquisition & Chaos Renegades | ISBN 978-1-84154-955-2 | August 2009 | Imperial Armour - The Siege of Vraks |
| Imperial Armour Volume Six - The Siege of Vraks Part two | Death Korps of Krieg & Chaos Renegades | ISBN 978-1-84154-910-1 | August 2008 | Imperial Armour - The Siege of Vraks |
| Imperial Armour Volume Five - The Siege of Vraks Part one | Death Korps of Krieg, Dark Angels & Chaos Renegades | ISBN 978-1-84154-851-7 | May 2007 | Imperial Armour - The Siege of Vraks |
| Imperial Armour Apocalypse Second Edition | Companion volume to Warhammer 40,000 Apocalypse, containing new battle formations as well as new Apocalypse-compatible game statistics for several Forge World models | ISBN 978-1-907964-67-1 | 2011 | 6th Edition Imperial Armour Apocalypse |
| Imperial Armour Apocalypse II | Companion volume to Warhammer 40,000 Apocalypse, containing new battle formations as well as new Apocalypse-compatible game statistics for several Forge World models | ISBN 978-1-84154-976-7 | 2009 | 6th Edition Imperial Armour Apocalypse |
| Imperial Armour Apocalypse | Companion volume to Warhammer 40,000 Apocalypse, containing new battle formations as well as new Apocalypse-compatible game statistics for several Forge World models | ISBN 978-1-84154-892-0 | 2007 | Imperial Armour Apocalypse Second Edition |
| Imperial Armour Update 2006 | Rules for Forge World models not covered by the other volumes | ISBN 1-84154-818-9 | 2006 | Restarted Imperial Armour Line |
| Imperial Armour Volume Four - The Anphelion Project | Tyranids, Imperial Guard & Space Marines | ISBN 1-84154-784-0 | 2006 | Imperial Armour Volume Four Second Edition - The Anphelion Project |
| Imperial Armour Volume Three - The Taros Campaign | Tau, Imperial Guard & Space Marines | ISBN 1-84154-708-5 | 2005 | Imperial Armour Volume Three Second Edition - The Taros Campaign |
| Imperial Armour Update 2005 | Rules for Forge World models not covered by the other volumes | 2005 | Restarted Imperial Armour Line | |
| Imperial Armour Volume Two - Space Marines & Forces of the Inquisition | Space Marines & Forces of the Inquisition | ISBN 1-84154-509-0 | 2004 | Imperial Armour Volume Two Second Edition |
| Imperial Armour Volume One - Imperial Guard & Imperial Navy | Imperial Guard & Imperial Navy | ISBN 1-84154-421-3 | 2003 | Imperial Armour Volume One Second Edition |
| Imperial Armour Update | Rules for models for all races, stopgap measure until the release of the "Imperial Armour Volume x" books. | ISBN 1-84154-355-1 | 2002 | Restarted Imperial Armour Line |
| Imperial Armour II | Orks, Eldar, and Dark Eldar | ISBN 1-84154-219-9 | 2001 | Restarted Imperial Armour Line |
| Imperial Armour | Imperial Guard & Imperial Navy | ISBN 1-84154-127-3 | 2000 | Restarted Imperial Armour Line |
References
- ↑ http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/codex
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ http://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d.html?pd=1&l=Product%20Details&a=1841543071
- ↑ (a "mini-dex"; needs to be used in conjunction with Codex: Space Marines, cannot be used on its own)
- ↑ GW Online : Warhammer 40,000 : Cityfight : What's in the Book?
- ↑ http://www.eyeofterror.com/uk/welcome.htm (Space Wolf 13th company rules not yet superseded)
- ↑ Games Workshop PLC - Welcome! Please, choose your destination