Warhammer 40K: Codex - Space Marines Review

In case you were wondering if the 8th edition of 40k has blossomed to full bloom yet, the new Space Marine Codex has been released. If that isn't the sign of a flowering Grimdark then I don't know what is. This time out we are looking at a hefty 208 page book featuring the best of GW's graphic design, layout, writing talent and of course insane painting and modelling prowess from the 'Eavy Metal team. Space Marine players likely don't need a review for this book - suffice to say, if you are running a Space Marine army then this is a must have. But 8th edition's relative accessibility means that there could be lots of new players wondering what the deal is with the codex and what value is there, so my remarks are really geared toward this audience.

As a returning 40k player myself, I am chiefly playing and collecting an Ultramarines Primaris Space Marine army, so the fact that this book is hugely focused on this particular subgroup of the Adeptus Astartes was a-OK by me. There is ample information about the Crimson Fists, White Scars, Iron Hands, Black Templars, Salamanders and a couple of other chapters, but they all play second fiddle to the boys in blue, who are sort of the de facto face of 40k. But dread naught, the lore, datasheets, strategems, relics and other game information are all universal to any codex-compliant Space Marine force.

Here are a couple of weirdo factions- or you can come up with your own if you don't like the marquee chapters.

There's a lot of great information in this book, starting off with bountiful Space Marines lore. One of the best things about 40k is that it is a very detailed, much documented fictional history. And there's plenty of that on display here with maps, livery details, chapter organization charts, timelines, historical reports, and even a fun analysis of all the unique organs that a Space Marine has that humans do not. I'm also especially fond of the DK-style cutaway view of a Land Raider. Each unit also gets a full description and some great artwork to set the mood. New players may find themselves reeling at all of the names, dates, and details, but in time this crazy setting that combines elements of Dune, Starship Troopers, Lord of the Rings, Michael Moorcock, both World Wars, and high gothic architecture becomes completely engrossing.

The key feature of the book, however are the datasheets for almost every Space Marine unit available. With a few exceptions, there isn't anything left uncovered here and all of the important statistics, keywords, weapons, abilities and point values are laid out for easy reference. This book overwrites the Indexes, released just a couple of months ago, but rest assured that for the most part the values are the same and there hasn't been too many significant revisions.

The gaming material also includes strategems, warlord traits and relics that can be rolled into your army. All of these are not completely essential for play, and should be regarded as advanced options for experienced players. They add some extra buffs and bonuses that tease out more narrative and depth in terms of force construction while also providing some surprises, strategic elements, and tactical considerations. But for newcomers, the additional rules and things to keep track of might be better saved for sessions after the first few.

All of the above is superbly produced and the book overall is a great example of why I am willing to pay premium prices for Games Workshop products. Everything about the book feels premium, and I would absolutely recommend it over the digital edition. The gaming material is of course essential to play the game as well as providing some guidance as to how to further develop your forces.

Plenty of perfectly painted miniatures pics will have you grimacing at your speed-painted dudes.

However, I have to say that I feel that GW is sort of pulling our collective legs by not being upfront about the Primaris marines phasing out the older models. Much ink in this book and online has been devoted to explaining how Space Marine chapters field Primaris units (sort of "super" Space Marines" along with their traditional forces. I.E., the older Space Marine models that players have invested millions and millions of dollars into. There's no doubt that the plan is for GW to phase out the older, smaller scale Marine models with the upsized, closer-to-truescale models. And the images in this book, which often show Primaris models next to old timey marines, are particularly egregious in pointing out the disparity. Some of the older, squatty-looking figures, Emperor bless them, look goofy as hell next to the sleek, modern models.

And then there are the restrictions. For some reason, Primaris units can't ride in a Rhino. No reason given, they just can't do it. Even though a Rhino is already way out of whack in terms of scale and carrying capacity (I've always thought that it was kind of like a Space Marine clown car). Likewise, other traditional transports like the Land Raider have a "No Primaris" sign in their datasheet. Sure, there's the new Repulsor tank and it is presented in the codex, but it is becoming more and more evident that Primaris is the future.

GW's in-house illustrators are the best in the business. Period.

And to that end, I find myself wishing that instead of a full Space Marines Codex with Primaris marines stuck into it, that the release had been a standard Astartes book and then have the Primaris marines treated almost as a subfaction with their own book. I can't help but wonder if this will eventually happen given that the Codex, as it stands, now includes every Primaris model released with no room for expansion, so to speak, with so many pages dedicated to aging Devastators, Assault Bikes, Land Speeders and so forth. But the reality of it is that most players are still running these models and will continue to do so for years to come so the legacy "mini-marines" models should be duly supported.

Regardless of my selfish complaints, this is an excellent 40k product and a centerpiece release for 8th edition. Given the quality of the Codex, which I think is on par with the most recent, outstanding work GW has produced for the Disciples of Tzeentch and Kharadron Overlords Battletomes over on the Age of Sigmar side, this bodes well for the rest of the codices which are expected to release this year. Now I'm fired up to see that Death Guard codex that is heading our way.