A codex (often pluralized as codexes, although the correct Latin word is codices), in the Warhammer 40,000 tabletop wargame, is a rules supplement containing information concerning a particular army, environment, or worldwide campaign.

Codexes for particular armies were introduced for the second edition of the game. The third edition rendered these obsolete, and a new series began, including introducing codexes for battlezones and campaigns.

Unless superseded by newer versions, the 3rd edition codexes remain valid for the 4th and 5th editions of Warhammer 40,000. Games workshop no longer produce campaign or battlezone codexes, instead releasing 'expansions'. 'Codex' is now a term solely used for army books.

A codex normally contains:

• Army list - A list of the units, characters and vehicles that can be chosen for use in a battle. This includes their characteristic values, information on their weapon options, and any limitations on their use. Each item also has a points value, with more powerful units costing more points, so that battles are fought between balanced armies.
• Background - Information about the force and its place in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. This includes artwork, short stories, and copies of fictional documents from the future.
• Hobby section - Information on collecting, building and painting an army from the codex. This features outstanding example models painted by veteran hobbyists and Games Workshop's 'Eavy Metal team.
• Special characters - Contains background information and rules for fielding remarkable individuals from the army. Examples include Marneus Calgar in Codex: Space Marines and Ghazghkull Mag Uruk Thraka in Codex: Orks.

Current list of codexes

Army codexes

The range of codexes is regularly updated with new editions of armies, and occasionally new army codexes. However, all codexes from 4th and 3rd editions of Warhammer 40,000 are still valid in the current, 5th edition, unless a later version has replaced it. The next codexes rumoured for replacement over the next year are Dark Eldar, Imperial Guard and Space Wolves.

5th Edition codexes

• Space Marines

4th edition codexes

• Black Templars
• Blood Angels
• Catachans (Available to download http://uk.games-workshop.com/imperialguard/catachan-rules/1/ )
• Chaos Daemons
• Chaos Space Marines
• Dark Angels
• Eldar
• Orks
• Tau Empire
• Tyranids

3rd edition codexes

• Daemonhunters
• Dark Eldar (2nd version)
• Imperial Guard (2nd version)
• Necrons
• Space Wolves (a "mini-dex"; needs to be used in conjunction with Codex: Space Marines, cannot be used on its own)
• Witch Hunters

Expansions

4th edition expansions

• Apocalypse Large scale battles
• Apocalypse Reload (supplement)
• Cities of Death Urban warfare

Event codexes

The two event codexes were released in association with the 2000 and 2003 Worldwide Campaigns. These codexes provided background and special gaming rules for the event, along with four "supplemental army lists"; variant armies that required access to certain other Codexes for use.

3rd edition event codexes

• Eye of Terror (Space Wolf 13th company rules not yet superseded)

Obselete Codexes

4th Edition

• Space Marines

3rd Edition

Army codexes

• Assassins (Mini-dex; superseded by rules in Codex: Daemonhunters and Codex: Witchunters)
• Chaos (superseded by Codex: Chaos Space Marines)
• Chaos Space Marines
• Dark Eldar (superseded by updated version)
• Eldar
• Craftworld Eldar
• Imperial Guard (1st version)
• Catachans (superseded by 4th edition free download)
• Orks
• Space Marines
• Blood Angels
• Dark Angels (2 versions)
• Tau (superseded by 4th edition Tau Empire)
• Tyranids

Battlezone Codex

Battlezone Codexes were rules supplements that dealt with a specialised combat environment, instead of an army. There was only ever one produced. However, material in Codex: Catachans provides rules for jungle warfare. The concept of a Battlezone codex was replaced by Games Workshop's Expansions.

• Cityfight (superseded by 4th edition's Cities of Death)

Event codexes

The two event codexes were released in association with the 2000 and 2003 Worldwide Campaigns. These codexes provided background and special gaming rules for the event, along with four "supplemental army lists"; variant armies that required access to certain other Codexes for use.

• Armageddon (Contained rules for Black Templars, Salamanders, Speek Freeks and Armageddon Imperial Guard armies, all superseded by later codexes)
• Eye of Terror (army lists for Lost and the Damned, Ulthwé Strike Force and Cadian Shock Troops all obsolete)

2nd Edition

All codexes were rendered obsolete by 3rd edition Warhammer 40,000.

• Angels of Death (rules for both Dark Angels and Blood Angels)
• Chaos
• Eldar
• Imperial Guard
• Orks
• Sisters of Battle
• Space Wolves
• Ultramarines (also covering other 'standard' Space Marine armies)
• Tyranids

References