Warmasters, the wait is over. The new Chaos Codex is here!
After almost five years in the warp, Chaos has gotten a reboot, complete with a full royal treatment from Games Workshop.
This codex is the first in the hardcover / full color format, and it looks spectacular. Warhammer 40k was meant to be in full color, and now the grim dark is a little easier on the eyes!
As far as the models go though, I’ve never seen so many hobbyist split about the look of new figures before. Miniatures aside, everyone I’ve talked to seems to have enjoyed the book itself so far.
While I think in the short term this means less impulse buys to convert whatever units were not released, it leaves the door open to more splash releases. Which of course would mean a complimenting rules release in that month’s White Dwarf as well. Both of which seem to fit with Games Workshop’s current business plan.
The book was written by none other than Phil Kelly, and like his previous works this rules set seems neither over or underwhelming at first glance. Kelly’s rules style seems to be more middle of the road that other writers, and from what I’ve studied so far, this book is no different.
If you are expecting some immediate overpowered unit/ mechanic, it is not in this book. Instead units tend to mesh well together, and the things that are left to chance tend to not penalize bad rolls like the last book. Don’t get me wrong though, rolling 1’s is never a good thing for most random mechanics, especially Daemon Weapons.
Long story short, this book’s rules (while not too flashy) gets the job done.
I’m not going to get too much into the new units or possible changes to the meta yet, but rest assured being a nearly 20 year veteran of Chaos I have a ton more to say about this book in the coming weeks.
Be sure to take a look at my video review below, where I make funny voices in attempt to hide my allegiance to the dark gods. If you happen to want any of the new Chaos Space Marines releases, check them out on mail order here. -Enjoy the new book MBG
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.
