In Warhammer 40k 10th Edition, there seems to be only one thing you have to buy, and hobbyists are holding off on other purchases, but why?
The Only Thing You Have to Buy For Warhammer 40k Now
With Warhammer 40k 10th Edition firmly underway, 2024 sees the game in a unique phase. The release cycle and game structure have shifted the focus of player purchases, making codex books the essential item for any serious hobbyist, especially with the far slower release schedule from GW. These books have become the gateway to unlocking the full potential of your army (and forcing everyone to buy them since they are the only way to get the rules since they erased the online versions) and becoming almost the only thing you have to buy for 40k.
Codex Books: The Core of Warhammer 40k in 2024
As of 2024, codex books remain at the heart of Warhammer 40k’s current edition. They are no longer just a bonus for fleshing out your army but are now critical for accessing comprehensive army rules and strategies. Before, you could buy online PDFs for much cheaper; now, physical books are the only option. While Games Workshop initially offered free rules at the start of the edition, the deeper strategic elements are locked behind these codexes in the app, meaning that players have little choice but to invest in them if they want to compete in the ever-changing meta.
This shift has changed the dynamics of what players are buying when they visit their local game stores. Miniature sales, which typically drive the hobby, are seeing a slower pace, while codex books have become the hottest item, especially as new updates roll out and new miniatures come slower than we’ve seen in a long time.
Slower Sales of New Models: What’s Behind It?
In polling several game stores in the U.S., a trend has emerged: aside from codex sales, other products, particularly new miniature releases, are struggling to sell. Only specific units that perform well in the current meta, like the still-popular Biovores or Armigers, are flying off the shelves. For most players, however, it seems they are holding back on big spending for now. Even Skaventide (the 4th Edition AoS Starter) barely moved from shelves.
There are several factors contributing to this trend. For one, inflation and rising prices across the board have made spending money on expensive hobbies harder. Many hobbyists may be tightening their budgets, focusing on necessary purchases like codexes, and waiting to see how the game evolves before making additional investments in new miniatures.
Impact of Leviathan and Other Big Releases
The 2024 Warhammer market is also still feeling the effects of the Leviathan box set, released at the start of 10th Edition. This box, which included a large number of new Space Marine and Tyranid models, satisfied the needs of many players, reducing the urgency to buy more. Players with established Space Marine or Tyranid collections have found Leviathan’s contents more than enough to bolster their armies well into 2024, and the release of new models for other armies has been relatively slow.
For instance, Aeldari and Astra Militarum fans are still waiting for significant new releases, with only a roadmap shown for the timeframe and no actual models. This has led to slower sales of non-codex products as players simply wait for something more impactful to hit the shelves.
Conversions and Meta Shifts
One interesting development is how some players are turning to conversions rather than purchasing new models outright. For example, the new Jump Pack Intercessors have seen lukewarm sales because many players are simply converting their existing Assault Intercessors, avoiding the need to buy another full set. The price point also plays a role—five Jump Pack Intercessors cost the same as a box of ten Assault Intercessors, making it less appealing to players who want to maximize their investment.
The Path Forward in 2024 & 2025
As 10th Edition continues to develop in 2024, there’s a clear pattern emerging in how players approach their armies. Codex books are becoming the must-have item, and they are the driving force behind most purchases. While the release of new models and army updates will surely shake things up as the year progresses (well, in 2025, as no new factions will be released until then), players seem to be waiting for the meta to stabilize before making significant financial commitments to their collections.
As we move further into the year, the key to reigniting excitement may rest in more substantial updates to 40k armies beyond Space Marines, Tyranids, and single-character reboots for the other factions, as well as the release of new codexes that offer fresh strategic opportunities. For now, the codex remains the essential item for anyone looking to stay competitive in Warhammer 40k’s latest edition while the rest of the competitive meta and retail market waits for the next significant shift.
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What are your thoughts on slower model sales and GW’s making Codex books the only thing you have to buy for 10th Edition Warhammer 40k?Â
