Claim the battlefield with the new Dark Angels 40k 10th Edition codex supplement and our guide to all the how-to-play strategies, index changes, and rules review!
The Dark Angels are back in the spotlight with a fresh codex supplement that shakes up their detachment rules, buffs their iconic units, and lets the First Legion flex in style. If your vision of Warhammer 40k includes grim knights, shadowy secrets, and righteous fury delivered from bikes, wings, and Terminator plates, this book has plenty to sink your teeth into.
From Deathwing armor stacks to Ravenwing hit-and-run antics, the Dark Angels codex tightens the army’s identity of disciplined firepower, stubborn durability, and that signature mix of honor and ominous mystery.
Let’s break down the new rules, detachment flavors, and standout units so you know how to play Dark Angels in 10th Edition.
Why Play Dark Angels: Strengths in the Dark Angels Codex
Originally published in February 2024. Updated on November 13th, 2025, by Rob Baer with the latest Warhammer 40k Dark Angels Codex Supplement rules and information.
If you want an army that rewards disciplined firepower, stubborn board control, and perfectly timed bursts of righteous fury, the Dark Angels Codex delivers. The First Legion leans into precision rule layering, with Deathwing holding the line, Ravenwing sweeping the flanks, and the Unforgiven stacking bonuses once their targets are marked.
Dark Angels rules play like a hammer dropped with tactical finesse. They thrive on durable units, clever objective play, and leaders who supercharge your force with potent synergies.
With characters Azrael fueling your CP engine, Belial turning Terminators into character snipers, Sammael leading high-speed bike charges, or the Lion himself shutting down enemy stratagems, the codex gives you all the tools you need to outlast and outmaneuver the competition.
Dark Angels Rules Breakdown: Core Army Abilities
They still use the Oath of Moment as their main army rule, but with a few changes. First, you can only include Dark Angels in this army, and there are no other chapters present.
Then, Deathwing and Ravenwing are additional sub-factions within the Dark Angels, and they gain extra rules and stratagems throughout the book.
Dark Angels Detachments in the Codex 10th Edition
Now, let’s get into all the new detachments that changed from the Dark Angels Index:
Unforgiven Task Force
The detachment rule isn’t the most exciting thing ever, but this should make the army far better at keeping objectives and the point scoring rolling throughout the game. However, some exciting enhancements either make your units hit hard, gain FNP, or stand a character back up. It’s cool to see them gain more while battle-shocked, as this is the first iteration of it in the 10th Edition.
Unforgiven Fury can be super strong as long as you have one battle-shocked unit, as you get lethal hits on a 5+! Then, there are a few ways you can make your units tougher: fire back and shoot and charge when you fall back.
Inner Circle Task Force
Since you won’t have many units, you’ll need the extra firepower to get your opponents off their objectives, and this rule is a great way to do it. They also mention Belial will give a unit Precision on Critical Hits, meaning you can kill characters in units and on objectives even more easily. Singular Will can let you move across combats much more easily and give you the extra mobility you need.
Being able to always deep strike on the first turn is pretty strong, but it’s quite awesome when combined with Teleport Homers!
For 1 CP, Martial Mastery is quite strong as you’ll get full Wound re-rolls next to your Vowed Objective Marker. Then, getting to fight with dead Terminators on a 3+ will let you get some of your points value out of those expensive models.
Company of Hunters
Being able to shoot after advancing or falling back with your entire army is no joke! This is a massive buff for your army and should let you be super maneuverable through the entire game. While you could already take a bunch, this rule will allow you to take up to six units of Outriders and really only have a fully mounted army!
This is pretty huge, as it not only allows you to put more units in reserve but also, on turn two, you can come in from any table edge! This means you can really take your opponent by surprise with a huge unit in their backfield starting turn two. If you go first, your opponent will have only had one turn to move. Then, the other Enhancements give you even more maneuverability.
Hunter’s trails are strong since you probably won’t have many units with sticky objectives.
Giving a unit -1 to hit for only 1 CP is always a good stratagem, which has the feel of the old Jink saves.
This one is much more situational, but if you can get a bunch of precision attacks or just find a character out on their own, it is very strong.
Now, let’s check out some of the new Dark Angels units and how to play them:
Lion El’Jonson in the Dark Angels Codex
In 10th Edition, 40k got some small changes from 9th Edition, but he is still a tank. He has a ton of great abilities, and All Secrets Revealed can be super annoying when it works. You get a free CP, and your opponent doesn’t get to use his Stratagem. Plus, with Lone Operative and Fights First, he can be hard to remove from the board.
Dark Angels Characters and Synergies
Azrael is a great take if you want a bunch of free CP, sustained hits, and FNPs! He can join a bunch of units and is still decent in combat. Asmodai is great for leading combat units, as he not only lets them reroll hits but also forces enemy characters to take battle-shock tests and gains you CP!
Belial can smash through enemy characters with six precision attacks at -2 AP and 2 Damage. Then, he also gives precision to all critical hits, so characters be warned!
Ezekial has some pretty powerful psychic attacks and is perfect for taking out Chaos characters, no matter how big they are! Then, he increases your melee attacks as well, so he is a fun leader, especially if you face chaos a lot.
If you’re playing Ravenwing, you should bring Sammael! He can advance and charge, has a ton of weapons, and can dish out a ton of melee damage. On top of that, he can cause a bunch of wounds when the opponent falls back.
Lazarus is another great character for melee units as he can let them fight back on death, has a bunch of attacks himself, and protects you from psychic and mortal wounds.
Dark Angels Units Overview
Inner Circle Companions are a new unit in this codex and are well-suited for taking out infantry. They will be hitting on 2s (when led by a character) and will be at minus one to hit. With 4 attacks at sustained hits 2, they can really sweep through infantry, but with only -1AP on either profile, they might struggle with high-wound units with good saves.
Deathwing Terminators are like Normal Terminators but better! They can summon a 4+ FNP against mortals, ignore modifiers when attacking, and add 1 to the hit roll against the Oath of Moment targets!
Deathwing Knights don’t have as many options, but they have another wound, have -1 to incoming damage, and can dish out the damage. They will be hard to move off objectives.
These guys have tons of fantastic weapon options, a lot of wounds, and a bunch of ability options!
These are quite strong for bikers, with a lot of good weapon options and the ability to take out monsters and vehicles on the charge.
If you’re playing Ravenwing, you want plenty of Land Speeders!
Last but not least, you can take some flyers, which have received mixed reviews in 10th edition.
Final Verdict on the Dark Angels Codex 10th Edition
Of course! They have some of the most interesting lore in 40kk, and with a bunch of new rules and models, they will be great to collect.
Overall, the 10th Edition Warhammer 40k Dark Angels Codex offers plenty of changes and new rules to make the army exciting to play. Each detachment offers unique enhancements and stratagems that cater to different playstyles, making it a versatile army to build and play.
Whether you’re a veteran player or just starting out, this how-to-play Dark Angels Codex review guide provides all the necessary information to get you started on your journey with the faction.
Where to Buy the Dark Angels Codex PDF or Book
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- Worldwide: Amazon | eBay | or | Games Workshop’s Store |
You can save even more on your purchase by using our exclusive list of redeemable discount codes from some of the best hobby retailers and miniature manufacturers!
If you’re looking for the Dark Angels PDF codex, Wahapedia is the go-to spot for free reference material, but if you want the full book with lore, art, and all the extras, Games Workshop’s official version is the way to go.
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