Games Workshop has more or less perfected the codex cycle for Warhammer 40k, as their current plan for the new Edition shows!
In 9th Edition, they had a little bit more leeway, as the codex books carried over from 8th, as it wasn’t a total rework of how the rules and datasheets work. This time, with so many significant changes to the rules and how datasheets work, they have to hit a faster cycle of books.
As they said multiple times, the new edition aims to simplify and streamline a lot of the clutter surrounding rules. But, if things go to plan, they have the 3-year cycle planned out completely for the 10th Edition already!
GW Has Perfected the Codex Cycle for Warhammer 40k
Those sticky complexities have now been smoothed out, and without losing any of the game’s depth. These much-needed simplifications are substantial enough that, from a rules perspective at least, every ninth edition codex has been rendered obsolete. That’s not to say they’re useless – they’re still bursting with the lore, history, and short stories that define each faction, and until new codexes emerge over the course of the new edition, these books will still be the main repository of the knowledge you need.
At the start of the new edition, Warhammer Community talked about how the old cycle of books is now totally obsolete, leaving open the path for a brand new cycle of books. They update 40k editions every three years and have to get out a codex for every major faction (and a few Space Marines Chapters).
This leaves them without about 24-27 books depending on how many Space Marine Chapters they decide to do.
If you look at the roadmap for the first year of 10th Edition, nine codexes will be released by June 19th, 2024 (the last day of spring).
Considering 10th Edition came out right at the beginning of Summer 2023, this puts them on a perfect schedule for 20-25 codex books this Edition. There are 21 factions if you don’t include any of the SM chapters.
So if they keep up nine books each year, this leaves them some time in the end (or anywhere in the edition) to add supplement books (think of Arks of Omen or Psychic Awakening) or even to add up to five Space Marines Chapter supplements and still stay on the 9 per year cycle.
Space Marines Chapter Codex Books Are Coming (?)
That being said, we assume GW will be dropping chapter codex books, as Dark Angels already have a confirmed book. With 3-year editions being the norm, GW must stay on track to make it through all the factions before the 10th Edition ends in 2026.
You will nevertheless be able to play your chosen army as soon as the new edition lands. We are releasing revamped, restatted, and reconsidered datasheets for every single unit in the game – all free to download at launch and ready to go. You’ll also be able to buy inexpensive packs of these cards at launch.
However, with this 3-year cycle, it still can leave some hobbyists with a bad taste in their mouths. This is mainly because this certain armies that get their update towards the end of the edition, only get a few months to play with the codex.
At least all the index cards are free this time, but with the 9-per-year codex cycle, some armies may get left behind somewhat.
Boarding Actions, on the other hand, are still going strong. The core rules in Arks of Omen: Abaddon were specifically written to work with the new edition, and the book will remain available for the foreseeable future. All you need to play this tight and tense format of Warhammer 40,000, is this book, the book that contains your own faction rules, and a set of terrain.
The last tidbit they gave us was regarding the Arks of Omen series, and thankfully these recent books and their rules were made to continue working into the 10th edition… Thank the Emperor for that, at least.
However, there is some hope for those getting their books late into 10th Edition, that 11th edition could also easily be a soft reset like 8th to 9th, and the books still might be usable in some capacity.
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What do you think about the 3-year cycle of Warhammer 40k editions and the codex releases?
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About the Author: Travis Pasch
Travis Pasch
Job Title: Head Writer & Editor
Socials: @paschbass
About Travis Pasch: Travis has been a Warhammer 40k hobbyist since the 1990s, playing the game since Third Edition. Through extensive traveling, he’s seen a lot of the miniatures hobby from across the world, giving him a unique perspective on the latest gaming topics and trends.
Travis’s brother even owns a commission painting studio, where he’s picked up a lot of good advice and techniques for painting Warhammer and tabletop miniatures over the years, as well. Travis joined the Spikey Bits team in 2019 and has been the lead writer since 2020.
Currently, he’s working on converting all his 40k Adeptus Mechanicus models and becoming a true tech enjoyer, complete with both sad and happy robot noises!
