Space Marine Codex 2.0

[Lord Marshal]

17 hours ago, TheNicronomicon said:

I would imagine it's more likely to be a supplement than a rehashing of the Codex. Were I a betting man**, I'd say it'll be the new HQ units, maybe a couple of Detachments*, datasheets for whatever new/updated models are released, and updated datasheets for any errata'ed Marine units we've had so far, like Intercessors, if they want to bulk it out. Sticking with the money-grubbing GW image, why would they invalidate a previous book when they could sell you a book you need another book to use instead? (insert thinkAboutIt.gif here) If BA, DA, SW, and BT players are already buying two books, why wouldn't they wanna sell UM, RG, WS, IH, S, IF players a second book? Whether they could make BA/DA/SW/BT players buy a third is I suppose the truly diabolical question here.

*No idea what they could be, but maybe specialized versions of Vanguard, Gladius, Stormlance, etc. locked to Chapter-specific keywords ("Salamanders Firestorm Detachment," "Raven Vanguard," etc) to synergize with the new HQs. Or maybe they give us a drop-pod detachment, if they're releasing an updated model. 

 

**A really spicy guess would be Hounds-of-Morkai-style paintjob/upgrade kit units for each of the FF Chapters to go with the new HQs. Like Outriders+ for Scars, or Infernus Marines+ for Salamanders. That would actually be pretty cool!

 

Iirc Age of Sigmar started getting it's pre-new edition campaign supplements (Dawnbringers) a lot earlier than previous editions of 40k or AoS, so I could certainly see them going the that route instead of full new codex - all the sales, but without most of the controversy.

 

That might also explain why there's multiple images on the roadmap - one supplement/campaign book has He'stan, the next has Lysander, the next one has the generic Space Marine units, etc.

 

Edited April 1 by Lord Marshal

[Joe]

Sigmar is a bit of an errant example, as those pre-edition campaign supplements were being used to make sweeping updates to various armies; above and beyond the 1-or-2 character models that you tend to see in 40k.

[TheMawr]

27 minutes ago, Joe said:

Sigmar is a bit of an errant example, as those pre-edition campaign supplements were being used to make sweeping updates to various armies; above and beyond the 1-or-2 character models that you tend to see in 40k.

 

Arks of Omen was the errant example here though, as psychic awakening was more like the AoS ones starting in fall and doing everything you described above. And while the 3 Gathering storm books Where more like Arks of Omen in timeline  they werent the start of the "times of ending" series ( though i think its hard to measure any pattern from 7th )   

[Marshal Reinhard]

Maybe I'm just misreading the thread but I get the impression a lot of people are talking about a potential 2.0 marine codex as if it already hasn't happened before. It has. And as a marine player i wasn't happy about having to buy the book again. 

[TheMawr]

7 minutes ago, Marshal Reinhard said:

Maybe I'm just misreading the thread but I get the impression a lot of people are talking about a potential 2.0 marine codex as if it already hasn't happened before. It has. And as a marine player i wasn't happy about having to buy the book again. 

 

Wich is kind of ironic because last edition people where so convinced that a spacemarines 2.0 codex always happens that there where  entire discussions on theories of why there wasnt one. ( very likely different people though )

[Karhedron]

1 hour ago, ZeroWolf said:

Its more likely that the SW were always going to be released now and the road map change was a last minute surprise for people who don't follow rumours.

 

I agree. Besides, the roadmap is there to whet our appetites and build hype. I don't think it is a serious window into GW's development and release process.

[Chapter Master Valrak]

On 3/31/2025 at 2:23 PM, Karhedron said:

 

It is not even really a rumour. Valrak is quite open that he is speculating it a will be a 2.0 Dex. The list of forthcoming models have some basis but the codex is just an idea at the moment.

 

Maybe I didn't put myself across properly, but this has been whispered to me a few times now, the speculation on my part was basically this is how they will release the HQs, it will drop with this new codex plus other models. 

[Azaiel]

So if its is a Codex 2.0 with rules + minis for the founding chapters then why did GW add the Imperial fist pic in the roadmap? Wouldn't that suggest two books?

Edited April 1 by Azaiel

[TheMawr]

12 minutes ago, Chapter Master Valrak said:

 

Maybe I didn't put myself across properly, but this has been whispered to me a few times now, the speculation on my part was basically this is how they will release the HQs, it will drop with this new codex plus other models. 

 

But how do you see that working with a leagues of votann picture being wedged in between the Salamanders and Imperial fists image ?

Half a spacemarine codex, then LoV followed by another half spacemarine codex and staplers to put them together ? 

 

This isnt meant argumentative btw, just to keep the flow of the speculation and Im honestly curious how you see that turn out with your theory of these images not representing supplements, personally it wouldnt really suprise me either way. I think the roadmaps are way less "exact" as we interpret them and after all this is the era of "Oops, we removed the wrong datasheet" as well.

[Cryptix]

13 hours ago, Wormwoods said:

They should just put the White Scars on Primaris Horses. 

Funnily enough, Jaghatai would probably prefer that. The only reason he made his boys the bike Legion was because he wasn't allowed to bring horses to fight aliens.

[INKS]

40 minutes ago, TheMawr said:

 

But how do you see that working with a leagues of votann picture being wedged in between the Salamanders and Imperial fists image ?

Half a spacemarine codex, then LoV followed by another half spacemarine codex and staplers to put them together ? 

 

This isnt meant argumentative btw, just to keep the flow of the speculation and Im honestly curious how you see that turn out with your theory of these images not representing supplements, personally it wouldnt really suprise me either way. I think the roadmaps are way less "exact" as we interpret them and after all this is the era of "Oops, we removed the wrong datasheet" as well.

I am just guessing but I think they represent those HQ or characters we've been hearing about, same with ravenguard who are after the Imperial Fists. The codex itself could be before Votann or after.

[Chapter Master Valrak]

52 minutes ago, TheMawr said:

 

This isnt meant argumentative btw, just to keep the flow of the speculation and Im honestly curious how you see that turn out with your theory of these images not representing supplements, personally it wouldnt really suprise me either way. I think the roadmaps are way less "exact" as we interpret them and after all this is the era of "Oops, we removed the wrong datasheet" as well.

 

No idea, GW has moved plenty stuff around already, maybe Votann first then the the Marine stuff? 

 

  

1 hour ago, Azaiel said:

So if its is a Codex 2.0 with rules + minis for the founding chapters then why did GW add the Imperial fist pic in the roadmap? Wouldn't that suggest two books?

 

Maybe their just getting the hype up? Getting people talking? To be honest I would rather have Imperial Fist Codex supplement rather than Codex 2.0, give me more lore, the rules are always second for me. 

Edited April 1 by Chapter Master Valrak

[jaxom]

1 hour ago, TheMawr said:

Half a spacemarine codex, then LoV followed by another half spacemarine codex and staplers to put them together ? 

Release the supplements with their special characters and maybe a limited run box set with each. Only afterward release Codex 2.0 with any new generic units.

 

1) Salamanders - He’Stan and Aggressors (maybe with an upgrade sprue to make a new unit).

2) Imperial Fists - Lysander and Terminators (maybe even Assault Terminators)

3) Raven Guard - new character and JPIs (maybe new unit with upgrade sprue)

4) Iron Hands - new character and Terminators (maybe even Assault Terminators)

5) White Scars - new character and multipart Outriders

[Commissar Greif]

5 hours ago, Chapter Master Valrak said:

Maybe their just getting the hype up? Getting people talking? To be honest I would rather have Imperial Fist Codex supplement rather than Codex 2.0, give me more lore, the rules are always second for me. 

 

I could potentially see it being that the images are solely in reference to the models. Personally I'm also leaning more towards it being a supplementary book rather than a full 2.0 codex. Probably containing lore and datasheets for any new HQs and units that get added, plus some addendums.

 

They've stated they were moving away from 8th editions supplement book model but, like I stated earlier, I think they might release the new datasheets in a book similar to the ones released with the Ironjawz and Darkoath in Age of Sigmar, just on a slightly larger scale.

Edited April 1 by Commissar Greif

[Wormwoods]

Yeah, important to remember that whatever they say or plan for the rest of 40K isn't necessarily what they'll be doing for Space Marines. They get to be the exception by dint of popularity and focus. 

[Evil Eye]

On 4/1/2025 at 2:46 AM, HeadlessCross said:

Okay, and a better question is why is Sammael the special snowflake that gets the jetbike on top of being in a special snowflake Chapter that GW pretends is a separate army? Why should Sammael exist to begin with when White Scars probably deserve a character with the last jetbike rhetoric even more?

The Dark Angels hoard rare technology (and secrets) and don't like sharing. Why? Go back in time and ask GW of decades ago that.

 

I'd also like to remind you that the White Scars had a bike-mounted special character (albeit one that existed as an incentive to kitbash)...who promptly forgot how to ride a bike when he got Primaris'd (because no-model-no-rules). Seriously, can we just give Kor'Sarro back Moondrakken already?

[chapter master 454]

I feel like it might be more like a weird add-on supplement for codex marines, like in 7th. Maybe a collection for all the codex chapters and giving them detachments if you take them. Who knows.

 

Suppressors are still waiting and currently are drinking buddies with the drukari at the bar for forgotten factions. Only got admitted because suppressors got forgotten among better releases...agastus was kind of meh but shadowspear was good.

[WrathOfTheLion]

24 minutes ago, Evil Eye said:

The Dark Angels hoard rare technology (and secrets) and don't like sharing. Why? Go back in time and ask GW of decades ago that.

 

I'd also like to remind you that the White Scars had a bike-mounted special character (albeit one that existed as an incentive to kitbash)...who promptly forgot how to ride a bike when he got Primaris'd (because no-model-no-rules). Seriously, can we just give Kor'Sarro back Moondrakken already?

Pretty much, they wanted them to have a lot of the 'old' tech that hadn't survived over the many years.

 

That would be preferable to have a second model for Kor'Sarro, although I think it'd be nice at this point for the WS to have two bespoke characters instead of two versions of one. Man do I wish my Word Bearers had a named character at all though 

[Wormwoods]

1 hour ago, WrathOfTheLion said:

Man do I wish my Word Bearers had a named character at all though 

Friend, don't wish for that on yourself. Take a generic character kit every time.

[MoriyaSchism]

12 minutes ago, Wormwoods said:

Friend, don't wish for that on yourself. Take a generic character kit every time.

Character datasheets with customizable generic character kits are the way to go. Master Lazarus is a good example of such a kit and datasheet combo.

Edited April 2 by MoriyaSchism

[Orange Knight]

A new codex is exactly what I was expecting. I really didn't believe that GW would go down the route of supplements for the various codex chapters again.

 

I know GW recently did an updated timeline for future releases, and on that image you can see artwork for a Salamander, and then later on an Imperial Fist. This doesn't indicate a codex, but perhaps a staggered release for the new models that will come with the codex. This is the image I'm referring to:

 

 

 

 

I imagine GW may have changed the release timeline as they try to ride the wave of the success from Space Marine 2?

[CL_Mission]

20 minutes ago, Orange Knight said:

A new codex is exactly what I was expecting. I really didn't believe that GW would go down the route of supplements for the various codex chapters again.

 

I know GW recently did an updated timeline for future releases, and on that image you can see artwork for a Salamander, and then later on an Imperial Fist. This doesn't indicate a codex, but perhaps a staggered release for the new models that will come with the codex. This is the image I'm referring to:

 

 

 

 

I imagine GW may have changed the release timeline as they try to ride the wave of the success from Space Marine 2?

I think the issue is that it seems weird to some of us that GW would mark a place in the timeline for the release of a single model all on it's own. Sure Death Guard and World Eaters are also only getting a single model but those will be accompanied by box sets, codexes, special edition codexes and combat patrol. It feels like there should be more to it if they're getting a place on the calendar like that especially if you're going to do it for each of the codex chapters getting a character.

[brother Vorn_GarDos]

18 hours ago, Chapter Master Valrak said:

 

Maybe I didn't put myself across properly, but this has been whispered to me a few times now, the speculation on my part was basically this is how they will release the HQs, it will drop with this new codex plus other models. 

 

This makes sense to me based on what I can recall on how GW released their codexes. New codex, new character model

[Karhedron]

We got Shadowspear towards the end of 8th edition with several new units and Agustus in late 9th. Could we be looking at something similar here?

[Orange Knight]

Thinking about this more, a new codex is inevitable as we're looking at multiple updated datasheets and some entirely new ones, if the rumors are to be believed.

I'm hoping that GW take this opportunity to really clean up the book and tighten the way the army is constructed.

 

Games Workshop want to make 40k a competitive game (which is fine), but they way they bloat this codex in particular, and the wishy-washy, freeform army+detachment construction is counter to that intent.

As it stands, 40k doesn't offer a truly competitive experience, nor does it offer true freedom of expression for people focused on the lore.

 

A new codex will be a success if:

 

-It streamlines and consolidates various datasheets

-It finally removes the remaining firstborn units, replacing them with updated Primaris kits where appropriate.

-It locks in army construction in a way that is either more balanced, or more thematic. The middle ground isn't really working right now.

 

And for my personal desire, GW should clean up the way the divergen chapters function;

 

Take the Space Wolves and the new Primaris Grey Hunters, Blood Claws and Head Takers. These are unique analogues to Intercessors, Assault Intercessors and Bladeguard Veterans. Because they exist, Space Wolves should no longer have access to the generic versions as they thematically don't make sense anymore, and it's added redundancy. The same applies to Dark Angels, Blood Angels, etc. Make the "Divergent" chapters actually Divergent, and not just armies with more options.

 

Having these double options for units with very similar roles, and in cases where the generic versions don't fit the aesthetic and culture of the Divergent army as well, is both a failure in the thematic sense, and in the balance sense. I do not believe that in a world where Grey Hunters exist, the Space Wolves are also training Intercessors in the ways favoured by Guilliman. They may have existed initially, but now the culture of the divergent chapters has had the time to influence the Primaris re-enforcements.

 

GW already caused the maximim level of rage possible - The anger caused by the introduction of the Primaris opened a new Warp Rift, and it's effects are still felt today. Rip the band-aid off, finish the job, end this purgatory once and for all.

Games Workshop have also recently shown that they are willng to relegate many units and models to legends, and to alter the ways armies function significantly, even to the detriment of existing collections.

 

Edited April 2 by Orange Knight