We had heard rumors of a new edition of 40k rules were on the way, and it looks like this may have been it. GW just previewed a new “mini” rulebook!
Warhammer Community just previewed a newer smaller version of the Warhammer 40k rulebook that will go on pre-order this Saturday September 28th! We had been hearing rumors of a new “edition” of the rules since August, and this may be a gaming blessing in disguise.
Remember the Kill Team rulebook that was just re-released for 2019? It was updated with the latest rules errata, so fingers crossed this mini rulebook will be updated with 2 years of Erratas for the game as well! This may just be what players needed to keep up with all the changes to 40k since 2017.
Plus don’t forget September’s big FAQ is on the way too soon as well.
Let’s dive into the rumors, and what we know now from Games Workshop:
Rumors of 40k “8.5” Edition Emerge
Now while it’s unclear what exactly this new rulebook will contain, this was the rumor we say back in August:
An Industry Insider is saying that a “new” edition for Warhammer 40k is coming soon…
New 40k “8.5” rules this fall with all the new release fan-fare, after back to school time.
Who remembers hearing things like “…you’ll only need one book to play the game”, and “…all of the units would be great options for any army”? That was 2017, and from there, things kinda went sideways for a bit…
It’s better now, but in 2019 just to find and collect all the basic rules to play the game, will require a FAQ longer than that original 40k rules pages themselves, and two years of big FAQ updates.
In some ways we’re basically coming out of a 40k beta edition, two years removed.
GW Previews New Rulebook
The Warhammer 40,000 Rulebook is a thing of beauty – but nobody could claim that this magnificent tome of lore and rules is particularly portable. If you’re running short on bag-space in advance of your next battle, you’ll want to get your hands a copy of Warhammer 40,000 – The Rules, a nifty little book that takes all of the rules from the main book and de-biggens** them for your convenience!
Not much meat to go on about what will be inside the book yet from Games Workshop. However with 16 or so pages of Designer Commentary for an 8-page ruleset, plus 2 years of erratas it could be a hard sell if they just shrunk the existing rules for resale.
Hopefully, we’re getting an updated book to the 2019 version of the rules, in easier to carry option!
But what are your thoughts about a new 40k rulebook? Would you like to see all of the rules and points reprinted under one book albeit smaller?
What September’s Big 40k FAQ Could Look Like…
It’s about time to see the Big FAQ hit for Warhammer 40k again. With that said, what could be in store for the game this time around? Read More
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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.
