Games Workshop Reveals Codex: Orks and a New Approach to Digital Codex Support

Games Workshop is preparing to unleash the Orks, with the new Codex: Orks becoming the first army codex released for the latest edition of Warhammer 40,000.

Games Workshop is preparing to unleash the Orks, with the new Codex: Orks becoming the first army codex released for the latest edition of Warhammer 40,000. But, as opposed to following the traditional format of the faction specific army codex books that Games Workshop first introduced back in 1995 with Codex: Tyranids, the new range of Codex titles will be living, evolving, books.

Each Codex will also include a code unlocking the Ork rules in the Warhammer 40,000 app, but rather than simply providing a digital reference version, the code acts as an ongoing subscription to additional material.

Games Workshop says this will include regular rules updates, additional detachments, new background material, and advanced hobby guides added to the app over time. So Codex: Orks becomes the starting point for the army’s rules which will continue to expand and be updated without additional purchases to get new rules or information for them.

This is a really interesting idea, and is much bigger news than the relaunch of a new Codex range, as it is a significant development on how Games Workshop, and games companies in general, could provde continued updates and support for fans going forward. It also means that as new figures are released, fans wll immedatey have access to all the game information required to add them to the ranks on their tabletop battlefields. So, helpful for players, and a clever marketting move to boot.

Anyway, Codex: Orks… the new book leads this coming weekend’s Warhammer pre-orders and substantially expands the options available to Ork players, containing 15 detachmebnts, an expanded Waaagh! army rule, and datasheets covering more than 50 units. It also includes the expected collection of Ork background, artwork and hobby material.

One of the biggest changes is the revised Waaagh! mechanic. Ork units can now reroll Advance rolls, while the new “riled up” status provides a 5+ invulnerable save, gives ranged weapons the Assault ability and allows units to charge after Advancing. Players can use their War Cry once per battle to rile up the army, while characters and other abilities provide additional opportunities to trigger the effect during the game.

That should make the Waaagh! less dependent upon one explosive turn. Units including Meganobz gain additional benefits while riles up, while characters can spread the effect to nearby units at other points in the battle.

Alongside the regular Codex: Orks a limited Collector’s Edition is also being released. Featuring a hardback cover with gold for detailing, green foil page edges and a green ribbon marker, the contents are otherwise identical to the standard edtiion.

Of course what would an Army Codex be without miniatures to bring it’s rules to life on the tabletop? Alongside Codex: Orks is a substantial wave of new Ork miniatures. These include the return of the legendary Bad Moons warlord Nazdreg Ug Urdgrub, equipped with his Moonchewa power klaw and Kustom Blasta X, as well as new kits for the Warboss, Mek, Boyz, and Warbikes.

The new Boyz are particularly flexible, with every model carrying a shoota, slugga and choppa rather than forcing players to choose between ranged and close combat loadouts. Specialist weapons include the big shoota, rokkit launcher and burna, while the unit’s Nob can be equipped with a power klaw.