Remember these beauties? Gather round folks and see what may be the six best codex books of all time for Warhammer 40k!
The last 25 years at Games Workshop has seen a ton of amazing codex books for Warhammer 40k, and today we’re going to take a look at the best codex books from 3rd edition onward. Of course the term “best” to me means most competitive, so keep that in mind when your’re going down the list!
6.) 4th Edition Space Marines Circa 2005
The Space Marines’ peak in power level before their current 7th Edition book, this book introducted chapter traits for customizing your army to play a certain way in game. While being incredibly effective at face value, the army’s real bonus may have been from the old unit structure of “min-maxing”.
Back then you could take a 5 man squad of Space Marines with a lascannon and plasma gun, for one troop choice. Ap2 weapons were HUGE in 4th edition as there wasn’t all the cover saves going around that there is today.
Oh and rending auto wounding on a hit roll of 6+ probably helped this army out a bunch too. I’m pretty much glad those days are behind us now, but to be honest with the way cover is now, the meta could probably handle this today.
5.) 5th Edition Orks Circa 2008
Probably the only time the Orks have been “good”, well not counting the standard Green Tide formation that we hardly ever see but is still pretty competitive overall in 7th. This book gave rise to the dreaded Ork Nob Bikes list which quick swept the competitive scene due to its low model count and high effectiveness.
The list mostly fell apart in 6th edition due to the change in the way multi-wound creatures took damage.
4.) 5th Edition Grey Knights Circa 2011
Matt Wards supposed rise to power was heralded in by this ground breaking book, which after a year literally saw huge percentages of tournament goers running Grey Knights. Due in part once again to low model counts, as well as Multiple scoring unit builds using Inquisition components, the Grey Knight codex was a multi-faceted dynamo of power.
After 6th Edition hit, and change the way “look out sir” worked, players for the most part seemed to move on to bigger and better things, and left Draigo drifting through the warp….
3.) 3rd Edition Chaos Space Marines Circa 2003
Ask any Veteran of the Long War when Chaos was good, and they’ll probably all reply 3rd edition. This book contained all the original legion rules for the Chaos Marines, as well as wargear builds that gave them a fighting chance against all that opposed the will of the dark gods.
One day, Chaos will rise again…..
2.) 4th Edition Tyranids Circa 2004
The Rise of the Dakka Fexes saw the Tyranids finally hit the main stream competitive scene around 2005. With their ability to put out STUPID amounts of firepower and mop up in assault afterwards with Carnifexes and Hive Tyrants, the “Zilla Nids” as they were called dominated tournaments left and right. It was also the last time Genestealers were “relevant” with their rending on the hit roll claw attacks.
Ah Memories…
1.) 5th Edition Imperial Guard Aka The Leafblower, circa 2007-2012
Armored company literally went from zero to hero in one edition as Imperial Guard Tank companies began to absolutely dominate every tournament across the globe during the rise of the ‘Ard Boyz series. This was probably the first truly Viral aka “net list” as it became covered extensively on these new things called blogs, like Bell of Lost Souls in 2007 and Spikey Bits in 2009.
One man ruled over the Leafblower scene, Nick Rose aka Darkwynn, who is also the architect behind a more current army list called “scout shame”.
So there it is folks, the big six of 40k awesomeness from 3rd edition onward. How do you think Blood Angels, and Chaos Daemons should rank in here, or even Eldar?
Are they worthy of a spot, or just “one trick ponies”?
Whats your Top 6?
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About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
