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Warhammer 40,000 5th Edition
Codex: Space Marines
The Space Marines of the Adeptus Astartes are Humanity's ultimate warriors, dedicated to the defence of the Emperor and the Imperium of Man. They are barely human at all, but superhuman, having been made superior, in all respects, to a normal man by a harsh regime of genetic modification, psycho-conditioning and rigorous training. Organised into small independent armies called Chapters, their unswerving loyalty is to the Emperor of Mankind and no other.
This 144-page Warhammer 40,000 Codex contains all the rules you'll need to field a Space Marine army, as well as detailed background information, bestiary, accompanying artwork and 'Eavy Metal showcase.
You must possess a copy of Warhammer 40,000 in order to use the contents of this book.
This 144-page Warhammer 40,000 Codex contains all the rules you'll need to field a Space Marine army, as well as detailed background information, bestiary, accompanying artwork and 'Eavy Metal showcase.
You must possess a copy of Warhammer 40,000 in order to use the contents of this book.
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
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About the author
Matthew Ward
58 books426 followersMatthew Ward is a writer, cat-servant and owner of more musical instruments than he can actually play (and considerably more than he can play well). He’s afflicted with an obsession for old places – castles, historic cities and the London Underground chief amongst them – and should probably cultivate more interests to help expand out his author biography.
After a decade serving as a principal architect for Games Workshop’s Warhammer and Warhammer 40,000 properties, Matthew embarked on an adventure to tell stories set in worlds of his own design. He lives near Nottingham with his extremely patient wife – as well as a pride of attention-seeking cats – and writes to entertain anyone who feels there’s not enough magic in the world.
After a decade serving as a principal architect for Games Workshop’s Warhammer and Warhammer 40,000 properties, Matthew embarked on an adventure to tell stories set in worlds of his own design. He lives near Nottingham with his extremely patient wife – as well as a pride of attention-seeking cats – and writes to entertain anyone who feels there’s not enough magic in the world.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 13, 2019
The Space Marines Codex is the guidebook for people who play the 40K game, but it is also a treasure trove of information about the Astartes themselves. Beautifully illustrated and full of information this is a must read for anyone interested in Warhammer 40k. Myself? I don't play the games but I am very fond of the novels and the lore.
I suppose my praise begs the question of why only 4 stars instead of 5? I was rather disappointed that this Codex didn't cover all the Astartes Legions. If you are unaware, in the wake of the Horus Heresy, Primarch Guilliman of the Ultramarines penned the Codex Astartes. This codex stipulates the organizational makeup and battle doctrine of the Astartes. It also mandated that no longer would there be Legions (numbering 100K) so that no one person could field the might of an entire Legion. Thus, post-Codex Astartes all the Legions were broken into Chapters (1K) and this is the current setup of the post-Heresy Space Marines. That being said, of the 18 Space Marine Legions 8 of them joined Horus-this still leaves us with 9 Loyalist legions. This codex, while quite detailed, seems to have skipped over the Dark Angels, the Space Wolves and the Blood Angels. Perhaps this is because they have their own codex? Not really sure but I would have liked to have those three included.
But this book does cover the Iron Hands, White Scars, Ultramarines, Imperial Fists, Salamanders and Raven Guard. Each section has a chapter history and details great campaigns, as well as giving us a background on their respective Primarchs. We are also treated to small sections about the successor chapters that were created from the old Legions. For example, not only do we learn about the Ultramarines but you will also learn a little about several of the successor chapters such as Genisis Chapter or the Novamarines.
Strangely two of the successor chapters of the Imperial Fists get a lengthier entry- the Crimson Fists and the Black Templars. Perhaps it is due to their storied reputations? I understand why the Black Templars had a lengthy section-as their chapter is not Codex compliant. The Black Templars do not use the tactical formations of the Codex and instead rely upon the teachings of their High Marshal (Chapter Master in other Codex chapters), they also view the Emperor as a god unlike the vast majority of the Astartes who revere him as their Father and the Lord of Mankind but do not ascribe him any particular divinity. Though in light of what I've read in the books, it might be that the Black Templars are more correct than they realize.
The rest of the book details the weapons and armaments of the Astartes and has detailed rules for anyone who plays the game. All in all? This was a very good book especially for someone who would like to know more about the lore of the Astartes.
I suppose my praise begs the question of why only 4 stars instead of 5? I was rather disappointed that this Codex didn't cover all the Astartes Legions. If you are unaware, in the wake of the Horus Heresy, Primarch Guilliman of the Ultramarines penned the Codex Astartes. This codex stipulates the organizational makeup and battle doctrine of the Astartes. It also mandated that no longer would there be Legions (numbering 100K) so that no one person could field the might of an entire Legion. Thus, post-Codex Astartes all the Legions were broken into Chapters (1K) and this is the current setup of the post-Heresy Space Marines. That being said, of the 18 Space Marine Legions 8 of them joined Horus-this still leaves us with 9 Loyalist legions. This codex, while quite detailed, seems to have skipped over the Dark Angels, the Space Wolves and the Blood Angels. Perhaps this is because they have their own codex? Not really sure but I would have liked to have those three included.
But this book does cover the Iron Hands, White Scars, Ultramarines, Imperial Fists, Salamanders and Raven Guard. Each section has a chapter history and details great campaigns, as well as giving us a background on their respective Primarchs. We are also treated to small sections about the successor chapters that were created from the old Legions. For example, not only do we learn about the Ultramarines but you will also learn a little about several of the successor chapters such as Genisis Chapter or the Novamarines.
Strangely two of the successor chapters of the Imperial Fists get a lengthier entry- the Crimson Fists and the Black Templars. Perhaps it is due to their storied reputations? I understand why the Black Templars had a lengthy section-as their chapter is not Codex compliant. The Black Templars do not use the tactical formations of the Codex and instead rely upon the teachings of their High Marshal (Chapter Master in other Codex chapters), they also view the Emperor as a god unlike the vast majority of the Astartes who revere him as their Father and the Lord of Mankind but do not ascribe him any particular divinity. Though in light of what I've read in the books, it might be that the Black Templars are more correct than they realize.
The rest of the book details the weapons and armaments of the Astartes and has detailed rules for anyone who plays the game. All in all? This was a very good book especially for someone who would like to know more about the lore of the Astartes.
November 18, 2013
Visually, this is easily one of the finest codex books Games Workshop has ever published. The illustrations are beautiful and follow on perfectly from the Dark Angels Codex. Most of the lore is, as would be expected, a rehash of older stuff but it is well packaged and it was a lot of fun to catch up on things, especially with the beautiful presentation.
I'd say this codex is an absolute must have for anyone playing 40K. The Space Marines are by far the most iconic army of the hobby and this book does them justice.
I'd say this codex is an absolute must have for anyone playing 40K. The Space Marines are by far the most iconic army of the hobby and this book does them justice.
January 29, 2016
well its useful but not as planned.
December 29, 2017
From a rules perspective, this is a great book. It has everything you could, less is more certainly not being the case here, with more unit choices than ever; the army list definitely has enough to keep most folks happy.
The background however is a different matter. There's certainly a lot of it and if you're reasonably new to the hobby, or perhaps just Space Marines, it will be an amazing read. If you've been around the block a time or two, as far as the background's concerned, there's not a massive amount of new stuff here, just a lot of the old stuff re-worded.
There is some new stuff here and what there is of it is mostly interesting to read, but the Imperium has just undergone its biggest upheaval since the Horus Heresy and there's nowhere near as much about this period as I would've liked. They've just skipped two hundred years, a thing unprecedented for Games Workshop and there is barely a mention of it.
So I'd have to say it's a very good, but not a great Codex. A book let down by its fairly lazy retreading of already well established background.
The background however is a different matter. There's certainly a lot of it and if you're reasonably new to the hobby, or perhaps just Space Marines, it will be an amazing read. If you've been around the block a time or two, as far as the background's concerned, there's not a massive amount of new stuff here, just a lot of the old stuff re-worded.
There is some new stuff here and what there is of it is mostly interesting to read, but the Imperium has just undergone its biggest upheaval since the Horus Heresy and there's nowhere near as much about this period as I would've liked. They've just skipped two hundred years, a thing unprecedented for Games Workshop and there is barely a mention of it.
So I'd have to say it's a very good, but not a great Codex. A book let down by its fairly lazy retreading of already well established background.
December 3, 2022
Even if you are reading this one out of date, it is an excellent resource for lore and art on the Adeptus Astartes. In my opinion, this is one of the better codexes GW has ever put out as a resource for the lore and background of a faction. The individual chapter sections are lengthy for all factions, and I really wish had become the standard for future codexes. Well worth picking up on the cheap used to add to your library, or if you are looking to learn more as someone new to the setting.
September 17, 2025
my rating is based solely on the lore and artwork. I can't speak to the rules. I always get drawn back to the 40k world in spite of me saying I won't. Games workshop maintains the best art, miniatures and lore in miniature gaming.
May 27, 2021
Nice overview with lots of great tidbits of info!
December 12, 2022
Lore interleaved with rules.
Not the worst of reads.
Not the worst of reads.
January 21, 2025
As a manual, it's 5 stars, but as a read, only 3.
December 29, 2013
A poorly written joke of a codex, conceived by a moron and written by a fool with no respect for the works of other authors or the setting. Even less regard is held for any faction beyond those he adores to the point of borderline fetishism.
I have seen Ultramarines fans so ashamed by what this book did that they repainted entire armies after over a decade of playing the chapter. I have spoken with people who regard what was once a much liked force with nothing but hatred thanks to it defining their chosen armies only as "they can never be Ultramarines" at best. At worst defining them as "doing it wrong" because they do not emulate the Ultramarines or dare to choose to follow the teachings of their own primarch over Guilliman.
The only thing it deserves to be is held up as a monument as poorly an author can write a book and everything they need to avoid in the future.
I have seen Ultramarines fans so ashamed by what this book did that they repainted entire armies after over a decade of playing the chapter. I have spoken with people who regard what was once a much liked force with nothing but hatred thanks to it defining their chosen armies only as "they can never be Ultramarines" at best. At worst defining them as "doing it wrong" because they do not emulate the Ultramarines or dare to choose to follow the teachings of their own primarch over Guilliman.
The only thing it deserves to be is held up as a monument as poorly an author can write a book and everything they need to avoid in the future.
September 29, 2013
Much more interesting than the core rulebook.
December 25, 2013
Very nice, more an evolution then a revolution. The treatment of different chapter and chapter tactics is much better then the previous book
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews