Death guard codex pre order

You Can pre-order the new codex on Saturday January 16th. Today is a look back at some of the previews of the new incoming Death Guard Codex 

Death Guard Codex Preview Rules from WarCom

https://www.warhammer-community.com/2021/01/07/plague-companies-return-with-new-rules-for-codex-death-guard/

The planned release schedule for Games Workshop’s new Warhammer 40K 9th edition codexes has been repeatedly thrown out of whack – first, by the UK’s second nationwide covid lockdown in late 2020, and, thereafter, by an ongoing plague of printing and supply issues,  to which GW has several times referred – with its customary coyness and penchant for in-universe references – as the work of the “fickle winds of fate” or the treacherous Chaos god, Tzeentch.

These faction books, called Codexes – and the slimmed-down ‘Codex Supplements’ for offshoots such as the Dark Angels Space Marine chapter – contain all the in-game rules, abilities and statistics to update each of the game’s 20-odd playable armies to fit the new 9th Edition ruleset. Naturally, therefore, as with previous new editions of the game, keen players of each of these armies were all bursting to see their favourite faction brought up to date, right from the moment 9th edition was announced in May 2020.

But the already-slow release cycle for these rulebooks was further delayed on December 4, when GW put the release of its new Death Guard codex on ice due to “unavoidable delays to crucial shipments”. After that book finally arrived in late January, GW has shied away from releasing any hard-and-fast timings for upcoming codexes, as the underlying production issues hampering its book releases appear to be affecting them still.

Nevertheless, Warhammer 40K codex releases are on the move again in 2021. Of course, Codex: Necrons and Codex: Space Marines were released before Christmas, along with the Codex Supplements for the Blood Angels, Deathwatch and Space Wolves.

Go digital

On the inside back cover of each of these new Codexes you’ll find a code to unlock its digital version on the Warhammer 40K app. This is likely to become part and parcel of all your 40K games in the future, so, you know - take note.

Since then, we’ve had Death Guard in January, Dark Angels in February, Drukhari in March, and the Adeptus Mechanicus in late May. June brought us the Adepta Sororitas codex (revealed rather suddenly in a preview article on Sunday, May 30), and July provided the Orks as well – at least if you got it as part of their Beast Snagga army box, that is. The Grey Knights and Thousand Sons went up for pre-order in August, followed by a standalone release of the Orks codex in September. According GW’s Warhammer 40k roadmap, we can expect the Black Templars in November, and two mysterious codexes in December.

For full details on all these books, when they’re coming, and what to expect, read on! They’re just the first few of many new Codex releases to look forward to this year, and we’ll be keeping this guide up to date with all the latest information as to what’s coming next, and when.

With that out of the way, here’s everything we know about the upcoming Warhammer 40K codex releases – and the key info on what’s already out.

UPCOMING 40K CODEX RELEASE DATES

ORKS CODEX RELEASE DATE

The standalone release of the 9th edition Orks Codex is here. Originally packaged in the Beast Snagga Orks army box – the introductory set for Warhammer 40k’s newest Ork faction – in July, those of us who didn’t nab the box have been waiting few months to get our paws on the new book. And now is finally the time. The Orks Codex goes up for pre-order this weekend, before hitting shelves September 11.

The codex will include updated rules for all Ork factions, not just the squig-obsessed Beast Snaggas, and looks to be making some hefty changes to the Waaaagh. ‘Dakka‘ is being made into a brand new weapon type, rather than simply a hilarious kick-ass ability, and your basic Ork’s Toughness is getting boosted from four to five.

You can also expect to see the usual assortment of updated subfaction rules for the seven Ork clans, Warlord Traits, Psychic Abilities, Relics, and rules for the Crusade campaign mode. It’s available in standard edition for $50 / £30, and a limited collectors’ edition.

Black Templars codex release date

Also announced in the Warhammer 40k roadmap, everyone’s favourite crusading Space Marines are receiving their own codex supplement in November.

We don’t have much information about this book, but do know it’s coming alongside some much-need Black Templar miniature releases. A new model for the faction’s unique character unit The Emperor’s Champion is on the way, as well as a “sweet new Black Templars launch box”.

Warpin’ about: Our Warhammer 40k Chaos factions guide

GW usually reserves the term “launch box” to refer to limited edition boxed sets that kick of new game lines (such as Age of Sigmar 3rd Edition’s Dominion box) or a brand new faction range (including box sets of Lumineth Realm-lords, the new Adepta Sororitas, and Beast Snagga Orks).

Given the upcoming release of the Black Templars codex and a launch box, we’re betting the whole thing will follow a similar template to the Beast Snaggas: a limited boxed set that includes the codex, followed by a standalone release later. We’ll have to wait and see.

mysterious Xenos and Imperium codexes

In typical GW fashion, they didn’t reveal all the goods during their Warhammer 40k roadmap. As a final tantalising morsel, they announced a new Imperium codex and Xenos codex will be released this December, but elected not to reveal the armies of the new books.

Check back here as we update this guide with all the latest information, as it’s revealed.

WHICH CODEXES ARE COMING NEXT?

Rumours always abound as to which factions will be next on GW’s hit-list, but we’re not betting the farm on anything else right now. When we know something truly solid – you’ll be the first to hear about it.

WHICH 40K CODEXES ARE OUT NOW?

GREY KNIGHTS AND THOUSAND SONS CODEX RELEASE DATES

The Grey Knights and Thousand Sons went up for pre-order on GW’s webstore in August, in both standard and collector’s edition variants.

We first got word of the new Grey Knights and Thousand Sons codexes back in May, during a Warhammer Fest teaser video. Following more hints that “fire and magic” would be making its way to Warhammer 40k later this year, and an announcement that both codexes had been delayed, we’ve finally got confirmation of what’s in store.

Alien and proud: Our Warhammer 40k Xenos factions guide

Both the 9th edition Grey Knights and Thousand Sons codexes will release alongside their upcoming double-army battlebox, Hexfire: Supernatural Warfare in the 41st Millennium. Announced in a Warhammer Community post on July 26, the box of 29 minis contains a small force for each faction, and two brand new character miniatures to lead them: Castellan Crowe for the daemon-hunting Grey Knights, and the new Infernal Master character model for the Egyptian-loving warp wizards.

As for content, we can expect the usual fancy new rules, updated points values, and powerful abilities, alongside some more tantalising features. The Thousand Sons’ new book will add an Infernal Master HQ choice – matching the new model that’s leading the blue sorcerers in the upcoming battlebox.

ADEPTA SORORITAS CODEX RELEASE DATE

The Adepta Sororitas 9th edition codex went up for pre-order on June 5, before releasing a week later on June 12. You can grab yourself a copy from the GW webstore now.

The codex includes full rules for all the new Sisters of Battle units, as well as updates for its existing range of models and wargear. There’s an extended Crusade rules section, plenty of point tweaks, and new rules for using prayers and hymns. The whole book is designed to provide much wider strategic variety among Adepta Sororitas armies, which has been found wanting in recent years.

Box set: Our guide to Warhammer 40k Combat Patrol boxes

Chief among their new units is High Abbess Morvenn Vahl. The Sisters’ new centrepiece character model, Vahl is given a lot of attention in the updated codex, and has been designed to synergise with whatever you stick in your Sisters of Battle army.

And there’s a lot of units to choose from. Alongside the faction’s codex, GW also released the long-teased Paragon Warsuits, Celestian Sacresants (as shown on the codex’s front cover), and Dogmata, as well as faction-specific Battle dice and datacards.

ADEPTUS MECHANICUS CODEX RELEASE DATE

After its reveal in a May 16 Warhammer Community blog post, the 9th edition AdMech codex went up for pre-order on May 22, and was released on Saturday, May 29. You can order it from the GW webstore now.

The 120-page codex includes all the usual good stuff: full rules for the new AdMech units, updated datasheets for the army’s existing range of models, expanded lore, and bestiaries. There’s also a chunk dedicated to their technology-hunting Crusade rules.

You can also nab custom AdMech-themed player aid datacards and dice alongside the codex. Who knows, maybe they’ll help you curry favour with the Omnissiah.

DRUKHARI CODEX RELEASE DATE

The first Xenos codex release of 2021,  the brand new Codex Drukhari – or ‘Dark Eldar’ if you remember their original, non-copyrightable name – released on March 27, and is available to buy now.

Besides the bare essentials – inevitable points tweaks, new stratagems, rules for Crusade mode – the titbits we heard before the book’s release pointed to a fairly subtle upgrade. As is so often the case in Warhammer 40k, however, now that the new rules have been subjected to real-world play, 9th edition Drukhari have quickly become a top-tier competitive army, with multiple recent tournament wins.

Their pre-Christmas preview article established early on that the codex would offer “more attacks, higher damage, and lethal combat output across the board”. That promise has been borne out, and then some.

Only man: Read our Warhammer 40K Imperium factions guide

A few of the new rules came early, in the form of deliberate previews, and apparently leaked ‘spoilers’, including:

• Kabalite Warriors – the Drukhari’s stock infantry unit – now get two melee attacks instead of one.
• In fact, “most units in the army” are getting an extra attack, with examples given of Wyches, Hellions and Cronos Parasite Engines.
• The Kabalites’ Splinter Cannon – a heavy anti-infantry gun – now does two damage instead of one.
• It’s now easier to make lists with a mix of the Drukhari’s sub-factions: Kabals, Wych Cults and Haemonculus Covens.

The pre-order and full release dates for the Drukhari codex were originally announced in a Warhammer Community article on Sunday, March 14 – along with Piety and Pain, a double-army boxset featuring Drukhari and Sisters of Battle, which went to pre-order at the same time. The Drukhari also got their own Combat Patrol starter set – check out our Combat Patrols guide for more info.

The pattern followed previous releases, with GW doing its ‘big reveal’ of the new book one week before pre-orders go live on a Saturday evening, with the books hitting shelves (or, more accurately nowadays, doorsteps) the weekend after that.

This book is 120 pages long,  with more than half of that real estate taken up with new rules, datasheets and points values – the rest being lore content and artworks depicting the Drukhari’s dark deeds and murky homes. You can also get custom Drukhari-themed player aid cards and dice alongside the book, if you’re so inclined.

DARK ANGELS CODEX RELEASE DATE

The Dark Angels Codex Supplement went live for pre-order on January 30 and released on February 6 – you can order it right now on the GW site.

The Dark Angels supplement – the fourth such Space Marine chapter supplement to have been announced so far – features “bespoke datasheets, Warlord Traits, Relics, and a Psychic Discipline, as well as a suite of Crusade campaign rules that represent the sombre quest of the Unforgiven”, according to GW.

Alongside their new book, the Dark Angels also got the now-customary set of faction Datacards and – a mite more interestingly – their own Combat Patrol box, joining the Death Guard, Deathwatch, Blood Angels and Space Wolves in GW’s upgraded range of army starter boxes.

DEATH GUARD CODEX RELEASE DATE

The delayed new Death Guard codex (9th edition’s first rulebook released for a Chaos army)  went up for pre-order on January 16 and was released on January 23.

Like the others, it’s full of army-specific datasheets, rules, and bespoke Crusade content for the Death Guard, the vile, disgustingly resilient sons of the dread Daemon Primarch Mortarion.

Death Guard players had to wait months longer than planned, but when the Codex did come, it came along with some extra goodies – primarily the long-teased and fundamentally foul Lord of Virulence model, and a Death Guard Combat Patrol starter box – the first of its kind for a Chaos army.

It also included some of the most interesting thematic rule-building GW has yet tried with its new Crusade campaign system, in the form of custom-concocted plagues for your Death Guard warband, each affecting nearby enemies in slightly different, yet equally revolting ways and developing in potency over successive games. It’s exceedingly yucky, but brilliant stuff.

Stay tuned for Wargamer’s full review of the new, even-more-disgusting Death Guard, coming soon.

BLOOD ANGELS CODEX RELEASE DATE

The Blood Angels Codex Supplement was released on December 5, 2020.

The supplement is full of the usual army-specific datasheets, rules, and bespoke Crusade content for the scarlet-clad sons of long-lost Sanguinius, the Angel, along with a good chunk of lore and background information on this popular chapter.

SPACE WOLVES CODEX RELEASE DATE

The 9th Edition Space Wolves Codex Supplement was released on October 31, 2020.

The supplement, like its siblings, provided army-specific datasheets, rules, and bespoke Crusade content for the Space Wolves chapter of Space Marines. It’s 88 pages long, and features additional lore for the Sons of Russ, a bestiary and unique ‘Sagas’ rules to form custom, ever-changing Warlord Traits for your Space Wolves commanders.

DEATHWATCH CODEX RELEASE DATE

The 9th Edition Deathwatch Codex Supplement was released, along with the Space Wolves, on October 31, 2020.

The Deathwatch supplement includes – you’ve guessed it – army-specific datasheets, rules, and bespoke Crusade content for the elite Chamber Militant of the Ordo Xenos, a.k.a. the silver-shouldered badasses of the Deathwatch.

It is 64 pages long, and includes juicy Deathwatch-specific lore content and special rules on mixing Kill Teams with different specialisations.

SPACE MARINES CODEX RELEASE DATE

The 9th Edition Codex: Space Marines was released on October 10, 2020, so it’s available now. There is also a special Collector’s Edition available, if you fancy it.

Codex: Space Marines contains heaps of lore for the first-founding chapters, as well as their more prominent successors. It is 208 pages in length, with 98 datasheets for new and existing units.

Get organised: Here’s our Warhammer 40K detachments guide

Space Marines were always going to be the longest book, with their 8,000,000 different units and bountiful sub-faction rules – but the 9th Edition codex is a seriously chonky tome, incorporating a whole raft of new rules from the Psychic Awakening series and the Adeptus Astartes’ own new Crusade rules.

NECRONS CODEX RELEASE DATE

The 9th Edition Codex: Necrons also launched on October 10, 2020 and is available now – with the option of a snazzy Collector’s Edition, too.

This is a smaller book than the Space Marines release, clocking in at only 120 pages. It’s still packed with new lore and, in general, represents a colossal and very exciting overhaul of how the Necrons work in battle.

There are 51 datasheets, including rules for the magnificent new Szarekh, the Silent King model, as well as the Necrons’ numerous other glorious new models, all their new army rules, Crusade content and other nuts and bolts.

We’ll have more details in upcoming guides but, for now, you should get hyped about the Necrons’ new ‘Command Protocols’ mechanic. It’s a stone-cold brilliant addition to Necron army-building, which, alongside the newly fleshed-out Dynasty abilities, will add a touch of unpredictability to the round-by-round flow of a battle.

IMPERIAL ARMOUR COMPENDIUM

The 9th Edition Imperial Armour Compendium was released on October 30, 2020.

This was a stand-alone book release from GW’s specialist sister store, Forge World, to bring in-line a number of their special/limited edition miniatures with 9th Edition.

Adventure awaits! Read our Space Marine Adventures review

It’s got 233 updated datasheets for the Forge World models playable in Warhammer 40,000. It also includes a Regimental Doctrine for the Death Korps of Krieg and suggested Successor Tactics for five renowned Space Marine chapters that are too edgy to live in the main book.

As a side-note, GW has said that any model that does currently exist, but doesn’t have an entry in this book, will later be receiving a Warhammer Legends update at some point.

WHICH 40K CODEXES ARE WE STILL WAITING FOR?

Assuming all the same factions who got a full codex in 8th edition get one again this time around, the upcoming 40K Codexes we can expect to be revealed – but don’t have any solid info yet to mention, in full, above – are:

• Adeptus Custodes
• Astra Militarum
• Chaos Daemons
• Chaos Knights
• Chaos Space Marines
• Craftworlds
• Genestealer Cults
• Harlequins
• Imperial Knights
• T’au Empire
• Tyranids

Rest assured: we’ll keep this guide updated with all the latest information on Warhammer 40K 9th edition codex release dates, so you’ll know exactly when your army is getting its shiny new rules, abilities and lore.

After being delayed, Nurgle‘s chosen, the Death Guard, arrive for Warhammer 40,000 in next week’s pre-order.

Codex: Death Guard has arrived and it’s full of lore, art, and the rules you need to spread death and disease across the battlefield of the 40K universe. You can choose between two editions with the collector’s edition featuring a soft-touch cover and foil blocking.

Also available will be Datacards for the Death Guard to help you focus and keep track of your force.

There’ll also be easier ways to build your forces. A new Combat Patrol will be available. It features Typhus, Herald of Nurgle, Plague Marines, Poxwalkers, and a Biologus Putrifier.

With the old also comes something new with the Lord of Virulence. This leader is protected by Terminator armor and will spread disease with a plague spewer.

You’ll also be able to add to the battlefield with the Miasmic Malignifier. It doesn’t just look on the table, it’ll also help the Contagions of Nurgle spread even further.

Some other models get repackaged as well.

The Chosen of Mortarion are three models that were featured in the previous edition of Warhammer 40K’s starter box.

You can also show off your allegiance to Nurgle with the Contamination Corps Collection that includes everything above in one package and some signed artwork as well.

But, if you need to spread disease even further, you can expand your force with a box of Poxwalkers.

You can travel from the future to the fantasy world of Middle Earth as well with some releases for the Middle-Earth Strategy Battle Game. Returning releases include Frodo, Sam, and Gollum, Haldir, Gildor Inglorion and Glorfindel, Black Riders, Dead Marsh Spectres, and Barrow-wights.

Necromunda gets a release in Phyrr Cats for House Escher.

Forge World has releases with the Contekar Terminators for the Night Lords.

Black Library also has some releases to flesh out the various worlds.

The second novella in the Siege of Terra series, Fury of Magnus arrives as a hardback book, ebook, and MP3 audiobook.

Dan Abnett‘s short story collection Lord of the Dark Millennium arrives in paperback.

Book 5 in the Siege of Terra series gets a limited edition hardback with Mortis.

Alpharius: Head of the Hydra is the next in The Horus Heresy: Primarchs series. It gets a numbered limited edition hardback.

Related

Preorders are back! From next Saturday at 10am you’ll be able to preorder all of the following.

Let’s get stuck in!

Death Guard

The Death Guard are finally here!

The new Codex, in normal and limited form, as well as the data cards, are up for preorder next week.

We also have a Conbat Patrol (Start Collecting!) up for preorder containing the following:

• Typhus
• Plague Marines
• Poxwalkers

For those who missed out on the characters from Dark Imperium, a new box is coming out called the Chosen of Mortarion which contains the Malignant Plaguecaster, Blightbringer and Plague Champion.

Now for more new stuff! The Lord of Virulence and Miasmic Malignifier are also going to be up for preorder!

Poxwalkers are rounding out the Death Guard with a box of there own!

Middle-Earth

Their is also a plethora of Middle-Earth minis up for preorder!

Haldir, Gildor Inglorion and Glorfindel, Mounted Ringwraiths, Dead Marsh Spectres, Barrow-wights and the Mount Doom combo of Frodo, Sam and Gollum are all returning to the range! These tend to be really popular so if your after any be online at 10am!

Necromunda

Phyrr Cats for House Escher are also finally going up for preorder! feels like these were announced a very long time ago!

The Horus Heresy

Some tasty Heresy models up for preorder to in the shape of the Contekar Terminators for the Night Lords. These will be up for preorder on Friday from Forge World.

And finally, sticking with the Horus Heresy, Mortis in its limited edition form, the latest Siege of Terra novel is also up for preorder on Saturday. These are ultra limited in number, so if you want one you’ll need to be quick!

Published by David Jennings

Born and raised in Crewe in Cheshire, Dave is a geek through and through. Enjoys designing and managing websites. View all posts by David Jennings

The Death Guard are the greatest champions of the Plague God, Grandfather Nurgle, his favoured spreaders of his bounteous gifts. Look upon them and see the signs: pus seeping from festering wounds that never heal; miasmic smogs of corrosive, stinking gas hanging thickly in the air wherever Nurgle’s chosen tread; the wriggling, lamprey-mouthed tick-leeches that clamp on to their rotting flesh; the droning billions of plague flies that swarm the battlefields they stalk and the ships in which they course through the stars.

Few armies offer such a rich canvas for painting and modelling as the Death Guard. Every miniature is riddled with gruesome details and grisly flourishes, showing the blessings they have received from Nurgle, and in turn how they will spread the Lord of Decay’s infections. With them you can craft a truly head turning – not to mention stomach turning – force that can terrify your enemies and be disgustingly powerful on the battlefield. This book is the ultimate guide to the Death Guard, featuring in depth lore and background and the rules that you need to field them in Warhammer 40,000.

Inside this book, you'll find:

– Background on the reunification of Mortarion with the Death Guard during the Great Crusade, his eventual fall into heresy, and the process inflicted upon the Death Guard as Nurgle's Destroyer Plague took them.

– Information on the organisational structure of the Death Guard following the Horus Heresy and how their cohesion meant they were better able to enact war upon the galaxy.

– Incredible photography of units, single miniatures, and armies on terrain, both on their own and as part of battle scenes.

– Datasheets that cover every unit fieldable by a Death Guard army.

– Death Guard-specific Stratagems, Warlord Traits, Relics, and psychic powers.

– In-depth Crusade rules that let you grow your force as it spreads diseases and plague across the galaxy.

– And more!