Space Marine Codex 2.0

[Orange Knight]

25 minutes ago, Dark Shepherd said:

Drop pods getting pdf rules probably kills off the codex 2.0 rumours

 

I'm not so sure. I think models being updated with new rules add fuel to the fire.

 

Just means there are more and more reasons to actually update the codex.

[TheMawr]

5 minutes ago, ZeroWolf said:

If a 2nd book is coming, maybe it's more focused on other first founding chapters than generics (so rules for detachments etc, rules for chapter specific characters, but no rules for the new units that are coming as they're downloadables/straight to the app).

 

Still too early to call at the moment.

 

I still think its likely there are no red herrings by GW at all and its exactly as it seems to be :

Later this year we get supplements for the main chapters, not a single book, as is shown on the roadmap, each with the rumored character.
Drop pod will be a random release with pdf, and was always meant to be.
The other rumored marine kits are the 11th edition releasewave, or in the very least (some) are a late 10th edition one next year.

 

The only foily theory I could see working out is the following :

-- Space wolves are indeed pulled forward for some reason
-- Space wolves where supposed to be releases after the 2.0 codex, wich also included the drop pod
-- In contrary to other new kits, the Spacewolf codex has pictures and rule-references to the new drop pod
-- Hence the new drop pod also needs to be shown and released much earlier.

 

and no me mentioning that last theory doesnt mean that is what I believe at all, not that this disclaimer helps, its always ignored

[ZeroWolf]

Regarding one of those other rumoured generic releases 

 

Assault Terminators are one of those kits that could have multiple homes depending on which way the wind was blowing.

 

A fancy kt release against Genestealerd for a cheeky Space Hulk homage (this is my least likely to be fair)

 

A late 10th ala Augustus (any rules being pdfs/straight to app)

 

11th starter box (mimicking the standard termi's from 10th)

 

Or just a normal 11th sm launch wave release.

[Tokugawa]

50 minutes ago, TheMawr said:

 

I still think its likely there are no red herrings by GW at all and its exactly as it seems to be :

Later this year we get supplements for the main chapters, not a single book, as is shown on the roadmap, each with the rumored character.
Drop pod will be a random release with pdf, and was always meant to be.
The other rumored marine kits are the 11th edition releasewave, or in the very least (some) are a late 10th edition one next year.

 

The only foily theory I could see working out is the following :

-- Space wolves are indeed pulled forward for some reason
-- Space wolves where supposed to be releases after the 2.0 codex, wich also included the drop pod
-- In contrary to other new kits, the Spacewolf codex has pictures and rule-references to the new drop pod
-- Hence the new drop pod also needs to be shown and released much earlier.

 

and no me mentioning that last theory doesnt mean that is what I believe at all, not that this disclaimer helps, its always ignored

Would GW really sell a pack of datacards for "Codex supplement: Salamanders", which contains...3 datasheets? 

 

DW has 9 datasheets, 4 of them have actual exclusive model kits, and stay at index stage. BT has 14 datasheets(but 6 of them are vehicle variants with multi-melta), BA has 15, DA has16, new SW has 21.

[HeadlessCross]

5 minutes ago, Tokugawa said:

Would GW really sell a pack of datacards for "Codex supplement: Salamanders", which contains...3 datasheets? 

I'd say don't give them any ideas, but you already posted this. 

[TheMawr]

16 minutes ago, Tokugawa said:

Would GW really sell a pack of datacards for "Codex supplement: Salamanders", which contains...3 datasheets? 

 

DW has 9 datasheets, 4 of them have actual exclusive model kits, and stay at index stage. BT has 14 datasheets(but 6 of them are vehicle variants with multi-melta), BA has 15, DA has16, new SW has 21.

 No, that would be a suprising and extremely cost ineffective move.

 

However I never mentioned datacard packs, so I dont really see the point of this ?

 

edit : this seems to be said ruder by me than its meant to be btw :)

Edited April 14 by TheMawr

[CL_Mission]

I don't think it's the craziest idea ever that the drop pod reveal/release has been moved forward for some reason and so they're putting out PDF rules for it ahead of a 2.0 codex where they would have originally debuted, but depending on what happens next it could go the other way and rule out a new codex before 11th edition.

Valrak has been saying a that a lot of love is coming Space Marine's way, it might be that these new kits are being meted out one at a time starting with the Drop Pod rather than coming out all at once and where necessary getting pdf rules. New Assault Terminators probably wouldn't need new rules and so wouldn't get a pdf. This is just an idea, it seems like an unlikely thing for GW to do but then they have just shown off a new Drop Pod almost randomly.

[DemonGSides]

1 hour ago, TheMawr said:

 No, that would be a suprising and extremely cost ineffective move.

 

However I never mentioned datacard packs, so I dont really see the point of this ?

 

edit : this seems to be said ruder by me than its meant to be btw :)

 

I think the inference is that if it's a supplement, there's already 3 supplements (Counting SW upcoming release) for Codex: Space Marines that DID include their own data cards.

So I think it stands to reason to be like "Damn 3 cards seems silly" wrt to them being "Supplement: Salamanders" etc etc.

 

If they're really boosting out the other main chapters, I'm hoping it's coming with more units like Death Company for each of them.  Of course that probably means the beginning of the end for more cool bespoke BA stuff from happening for a long time, but whatever, everyone deserves to have fun stuff to play with, even if the models aren't exactly inspiring Joy.

[TheMawr]

1 hour ago, DemonGSides said:

 

I think the inference is that if it's a supplement, there's already 3 supplements (Counting SW upcoming release) for Codex: Space Marines that DID include their own data cards.

So I think it stands to reason to be like "Damn 3 cards seems silly" wrt to them being "Supplement: Salamanders" etc etc.

 

If they're really boosting out the other main chapters, I'm hoping it's coming with more units like Death Company for each of them.  Of course that probably means the beginning of the end for more cool bespoke BA stuff from happening for a long time, but whatever, everyone deserves to have fun stuff to play with, even if the models aren't exactly inspiring Joy.

 

But its not that any of this is without precedent, though at first I wanted to point out that 8th edition Spacewolves supplements had datacards, but the others did not.. but while typing I wanted to doublecheck, and I was wrong,  I completely missed/forgot that they actually did have datacard sets for each supplement :

https://elementgames.co.uk/games-workshop/warhammer-40k/space-marines/codexes/datacards-salamanders-english-

 

They apparently just repeated the entire Spacemarine deck several times. so I guess they can do the same again OR just dont include datacards with supplements.

 

edit :

You know it could always be the worst of all worlds... those roadmap pictures represent one and the same codex spacemarines codex ( maybe not even really 2.0 with lots of new stuff, just the updated named characters and the droppod.. part of this sentence is the "worst of all worlds" after all .) but each is a 200 euro special edition with a special art cover for your chosen chapter and 1/6th of a medaillon XD

Each comes with a named character and a deck containing the same spacemarine datasheet cards.. except for the characters the super special codex belongs to, those are printed in foil.

That would kind of make sense of all things and rumors, be consistent and absolutely horrible for people

Edited April 14 by TheMawr

[DemonGSides]

54 minutes ago, TheMawr said:

 

But its not that any of this is without precedent, though at first I wanted to point out that 8th edition Spacewolves supplements had datacards, but the others did not.. but while typing I wanted to doublecheck, and I was wrong,  I completely missed/forgot that they actually did have datacard sets for each supplement :

https://elementgames.co.uk/games-workshop/warhammer-40k/space-marines/codexes/datacards-salamanders-english-

 

They apparently just repeated the entire Spacemarine deck several times. so I guess they can do the same again OR just dont include datacards with supplements.

 

edit :

You know it could always be the worst of all worlds... those roadmap pictures represent one and the same codex spacemarines codex ( maybe not even really 2.0 with lots of new stuff, just the updated named characters and the droppod.. part of this sentence is the "worst of all worlds" after all .) but each is a 200 euro special edition with a special art cover for your chosen chapter and 1/6th of a medaillon XD

Each comes with a named character and a deck containing the same spacemarine datasheet cards.. except for the characters the super special codex belongs to, those are printed in foil.

That would kind of make sense of all things and rumors, be consistent and absolutely horrible for people

 

There's no need to mine the old editions for how supplements work; the current editions HAS Space Marine supplements, and they come with data cards, and it's just the units that are different from the main deck of SM Cards.

That being said, a not-insignificant amount of datasheet changes have happened in the past two years, so maybe new Datacards are part of these supplements; they could fold in the intercessor and reiver changes, for instance, while also hewing more themed like you suggest.

I just don't think we need to look all that far to understand why someone might be like "Weird that there's only going to be 3 datacards for the Salamanders Supplement", because that's kinda exactly what's already happened, just that there's a lot more specific units for the current Supplement Space Marine factions.  Which, considering BA only really have one non-character special unit any more, might be indicative of how they want some of the more compliant Space Marine supplements to work.  Not too hard to just say "Paint these INfernus Marines slightly different and they are Salamander FlameBearers" or something like that, it's how Death Company work.  Push out another Upgrade Sprue with a single special weapon on it and you've got the BA refresh pretty much one for one besides SG.

Edited April 14 by DemonGSides

[Dark Shepherd]

A combined Supplement book for the codex compliant chapters seems more likely IMO

 

Also the strange case last edition where they abandoned supplements.for those chapters but not before they ordered up launch boxes (which we got some of as Christmas boxes)

[LittlePlasticHomies]

I’d personally be shocked if they’re not saving assault termies and vanguard vets for the 11th launch box.

[01RTB01]

5 hours ago, LittlePlasticHomies said:

I’d personally be shocked if they’re not saving assault termies and vanguard vets for the 11th launch box.

On the flip side they're due to be against orks.

 

I can't see them including such a heavy assault element when playing against a traditionally combat army in orks. Unless they go down a dakka route perhaps.

[Lord_Caerolion]

6 hours ago, 01RTB01 said:

On the flip side they're due to be against orks.

 

I can't see them including such a heavy assault element when playing against a traditionally combat army in orks. Unless they go down a dakka route perhaps.

Could be them against Dark Eldar, haven’t seen that since the 3rd ed starter set. 

[Nephaston]

They could come out of left field with a shadowspear style release aainst dark eldar this edition, and still have kits left over for the new edition against orks. If theres one thing for certain it's that there will always  be more and more marine kits.

[Karhedron]

10 hours ago, 01RTB01 said:

I can't see them including such a heavy assault element when playing against a traditionally combat army in orks. Unless they go down a dakka route perhaps.

 

9th edition was pretty melee-heavy with Assault Intercessors, Bladeguard Veterans and Outriders. In fact the only really shooty unit were the Eradicators. 

 

So I could certainly see both VanVets and Assault Terminators in a single box. We got both regular Terminators and Sternguard in 10th so there would be some symmetry.

 

The one thing that makes me think we might see Assault Terminators sooner is the rumour of Wolf Guard Terminators coming soon. It would seem very strange to bring out WGTs without the melee option being available. Still, the rumours could be wrong and so could I.

[Brother Captain Vakarian]

@Karhedron I suspect you’re on to something there. Since 8th with the original Primaris drop, the new edition boxes have alternated between a shooting focus and a melee focus in the models they’ve introduced or refreshed for Marines. 
 

I actually think it’s even a bit more specific than that, although there’s some units that don’t quite fit the mold in each box. 
 

8th was the “tactical” box: basic Intercessors, Aggressors, and Inceptors. One unit for each major role (battle line, heavy support, close support). Aggressors are even quite a mix of melee and firepower for their official designation as “heavy support.” 
 

9th was the “assault” box: Assault Intercessors, Bladeguard, and Outriders, with only Eradicators really breaking the mold, and even then they’re close ranged firepower rather than true long ranged support. 
 

10th was the “devastator” (or maybe really “veteran”) box: Infernus, Sternguard, basic Terminators, and the big key here being the Ballistus dread. Lots of long ranged support firepower focus. 
 

My take on the rumors out there is that 11th will be the “fast attack” box for Marines, with Vanguard Veterans and the rumored Land Speeder refresh. I’m not really sure what we’ll see as a “line” unit; maybe tactical Intercessors? Intercessors are actually quite old now. At any rate there’s always one unit that doesn’t seem to fit the mold of the box perfectly, so that gives some flexibility. Amusingly I could see the rumored Orks half being shooting focused, since more of the recently refreshed or new Ork models are melee focused. That would be a fun flipping of the expected roles for each side. 
 

I do suspect Assault Terminators are coming in 10th as a the “Agastus” equivalent for the reasons you said. Wolves (and other marine lists) want or really need new Assault Terminators to match the refreshed basic Terminators. Dark Angels got Deathwing Knights and basic terminator upgrades this edition. I think this is the “veteran” edition if anything. 
 

But this is all just my speculation based on a combination of the main rumors and a look at prior releases, so take it all with a large heaping of salt. 

[Lord Nord in Gravis Armour]

15 hours ago, Brother Captain Vakarian said:

8th was the “tactical” box: basic Intercessors, Aggressors, and Inceptors. One unit for each major role (battle line, heavy support, close support). Aggressors are even quite a mix of melee and firepower for their official designation as “heavy support.” 

 

Aggressors weren't in the Dark Imperium box, though. That slot was filled by the Hellblasters.

[Brother Captain Vakarian]

DOH. You’re right, that was a doozy. Same time frame but I guess that messes with my theory a bit. Still, Hellblasters were the heavy support in an overall shooting focused box so there’s that. 

[DemonGSides]

7 hours ago, Brother Captain Vakarian said:

DOH. You’re right, that was a doozy. Same time frame but I guess that messes with my theory a bit. Still, Hellblasters were the heavy support in an overall shooting focused box so there’s that. 

 

It's understandable, that was also the time period of the easy to build sets which did include aggressors. 

[Tokugawa]

It also depend on opponent side. Leviathan marines are more shooty, but Tyranids half is more melee. 

[Brother Captain Vakarian]

10 minutes ago, Tokugawa said:

It also depend on opponent side. Leviathan marines are more shooty, but Tyranids half is more melee. 

This is a good point. Necrons were more shooty too, vs melee Marines in Indomitus. Only the Skorpekh Destroyers for melee on their side. 
 

That also kind of suggests 11th may be more melee-focused Marines vs. a more shooting-focused enemy. And Orks do need a lot of shooting units refreshed, no? Lootas, Burna Boyz, Flash Gitz, that sort of stuff? 

[01RTB01]

On 4/16/2025 at 1:06 AM, Karhedron said:

 

9th edition was pretty melee-heavy with Assault Intercessors, Bladeguard Veterans and Outriders. In fact the only really shooty unit were the Eradicators. 

 

 

They were against necrons though that were were all shooty by comparison apart from the skorpekhs.

[ShibeKing]

Getting ready to get back into 40k, but all of this Codex 2.0 stuff makes me think I should focus on the Xenos for now. I would hate to buy the 1.0 codex only to see a 2.0 codex get announced.

Edited Thursday at 03:29 PM by ShibeKing

[jaxom]

@ShibeKing, it’s a double edged sword. Marines definitely get more attention and updates. The downside for everyone else is if something is awry, they may not get an errata/update to fix it.