Thoughts on WD codices and how I think they should be used

[Asymmetrical Xeno]

Taking a break from work, I decided to write this up.

People seem to be dissapointed by White Dward Codices, and I can see why - but I think there is merit in the idea. I think the problem is that people want a nice chunky codex book to read through with backround, good rules and lots of new miniatures. None of this happens when it comes to WD codices.

So in my opinion I think GW have a good concept but they are using the concept in the wrong way! rather than putting out a codex for an existing army - I think they should use the concept to do WD codices for non-existing factions instead. There is merit in this idea ; for one, it offers something -new- and secondly there arent the high-expectations people have when it comes to a mainstream faction.

I decided to use Alien Hunters as an example to illustrate my arguement for this sort of thing ;
1) they have ALL of the models that exist already, but don't have any current rules!
2) the rules creation for an army like this can be done easily with mostly just simple copy/paste - for example most of the rules can be copy/pasted from Codex Space Marines (sternguard veterans, dreads, devestators, terminators ect), Imperial Guard (stormtroopers) and Codex Grey Knights (basicly all the ordo xenos stuff).

I see a number of pro's for something like this :
1) it inspires people to start a new army or use existing models they've had lying around for ages - as well as presenting a number of interesting modelling challenges!
2) adds diversity to the game.
3) adds a new faction without resources bar the paper in the magazine.
4) actually makes the magazine somewhat interesting.

Of course if WD codices like this were to happen I'd argue against them taking up a release-slot that should be used for an existing faction that needs the spotlight more. However, assume this sort of thing would be released in December - GW's "rest" month.

Well, I'd be curious to know what you think - if you disagree I'd really like to know your arguements against it, and if you do agree what kind of forces would you like to see get this kind of treatment?

[eldargal]

I think the problem is WD lists for established armies. They never seem to work out well. I'd love to see WD lists for smaller, less 'mainstream' army ideas such as Chaos and Genestealer cults, AdMech explorator missions, weird gribbly aliens, Alien Huntes and whatnot. But not for the main armies.

With that said, I'm all in favour of new lists and units in WD, really encouraging. Its just a shame the SoB list is just so mediocre and dull. Not the most auspicious start to the new, content rich WD we've heard rumours about.

[Asymmetrical Xeno]

I think the problem is WD lists for established armies. They never seem to work out well. I'd love to see WD lists for smaller, less 'mainstream' army ideas such as Chaos and Genestealer cults, AdMech explorator missions, weird gribbly aliens, Alien Huntes and whatnot. But not for the main armies.

With that said, I'm all in favour of new lists and units in WD, really encouraging. Its just a shame the SoB list is just so mediocre and dull. Not the most auspicious start to the new, content rich WD we've heard rumours about.

Yeah, the SoB codex is really what tells me it does NOT work for mainstream factions - Sisters are an army that really deserve the "dark eldar treatment", and they are probably the one army that is more in need of models than any other at current with them being all-metal. Afterall, it's a game focussed on -models- and even with bad rules, models are the primary appeal behind it so I think established/mainstream factions will always suffer from expectations based on the model-side.

However, a fringe-faction doesnt suffer from those expectations, and the modelling focus can be shifted towards more hobby aspects such as converting from existing ranges. Genestealer Cult's are another good example you mention since they would share ranges from the tyranids and imperial guard. So it instead gives/adds something that wasnt there before, which is a more exciting use of the format.


weird gribbly aliens

Your just saying that because you love me! :P

[Lerra]

I'd prefer to see "official" rules in White Dwarf. A large percentage of players won't game against Forgeworld or other "unofficial" rules from GW, and it's hard to build an army if you're not sure you'll be able to play it. I have a Kroot Mercs army collecting dust for that reason . . .

When GW released the new Eldar tank's rules in WD, I had high hopes for the release of other "official" WD units.

I wouldn't mind seeing WD used as a platform for public beta testing new codex releases, either. Even if GW were to release only a few "teaser" units it would probably be an improvement over the current model.

[Chuck777]

I've always been a proponent of the WD Codex but GW simply cannot do it right (for what ever reason). It takes a different mindset to make a very short codex feel right. For example, with the new Sister's codex, they could have created a single Sisters of Battle unit and listed off all of its upgrades, then had a side bar that stated "you can take Jump Packs for x points per model and if you do the unit is treated as a Fast Attack unit. You may take 4 Heavy weapons, if you do the unit is treated as a Heavy Support unit." By doing that, GW condenses what would have been 3 separate unit entries into a single entry and a small side bar. Granted it is not as ascetically pleasing as three entries but when dealing with such a small codex, you have to maximize space any way you can.

Additionally, WD could be a great medium for introducing new units to existing armies or creating smaller, more focused armies, like Gue'vesa, Genestealer Cults, many of the different Space Marine variants, etc. Of course, what we're really talking about now is Chapter Approved content, which is something I think most people miss.

[miteyheroes]

The problem is that if GW release an official stop-gap codex in WD (like BA and now SoB), people complain as they want a proper codex. Even though the same people previously complained about not having any attention for ages.

But if they release a codex for a more niche force in WD (like Kroot Mercs, Vampyre Pirates or any of the Campaign Codex lists like Lost and the Damned) then people complain when their army isn't ever supported again and eventually gets dropped from tournaments.

Personally I don't complain about either of these options - I don't regard any lists made by GW as unofficial, I see stop-gap codices as a good way to playtest lists, I like the wacky stuff, and basically more WD codices = more available armies to play = more fun. I think GW should continue to release stop-gap codices AND niche codices in WD.

[eldargal]

If they are going to release a stopgap WD codex it should at least be vaguely decent. Releasing a rubbish attempt at a codex and justifying it on the basis that we should be grateful at getting anything at all is not a good way to try and retore WD to being a hobby magazine.

[Wildeybeast]

WD did, long ago, try this idea. I think I still have my copy of Codex: Assassins somewhere. It was a proper little book that they gave away free, though you needed a copy of another codex to use it with (Guard or Marines or something, I forget what). Problem is, it is a) expensive to give away free stuff, which is why GW don't do it anymore and b) I don't think many people used it. These days you are always going to struggle to persuade GW to use WD for 'niche' products that have limited sales. When was the last time you saw anything from the specialist games range in WD, other than occasional Golden Demon entry?

I'd love to see a something like a genestealer cultist army (and then I can actually use my converted hybrids) but I think the only place you are likely to see that is if they go back to doing 'alternative army lists' in the back of books.

I just hope this 2 part SoB codex is a one-off brain fart from GW, and not their idea of giving WD more meaty content.

[Shotgun Justice]

I haven't bought a White Dwarf for a long ol' time, since the release of Warhammer Realms: Lustria I think. With the continued shift towards marketing that the magazine has taken might we assume that the writers do not have much rules writing experience? Which means that the design team may well need to proof or give the go-ahead for any White Dwarf rules - as Chambers used to oversee Chapter Approved? Despite what one may think of the design team's output they are, by all accounts, fairly busy.
Speaking of which Chapter Approved is pretty much what people want back - or at least a version of it. Those of a competitive bent will point out that rules spread across many publications are a pain but we all know that with Games Workshop's ranking of priorities competitive play is fairly low down so probably not much of consideration for them.


If they are going to release a stopgap WD codex it should at least be vaguely decent. Releasing a rubbish attempt at a codex and justifying it on the basis that we should be grateful at getting anything at all is not a good way to try and restore WD to being a hobby magazine.

The Sisters Codex is pony, we all know it and Eldargal has stated a common reaction above with an admirable lack of profanity and insult. This rules release does not bode well but we must ignore internet first response protocol and permit a dud to pass us by while hoping that future attempts rise higher. As an occasional Witch Hunters player I intend to let Games Workshop know, politely enough, of my problems with the Sisters codex but I also will have an open mind for future rules releases.

[DarkLink]

I say the throw together a rough codex in WD, give it to the community to play with for a couple months, and see what does and doesn't work. Plus, you can have a little Playtest Update section in WD that tweaks the rules. So if it turns out one unit isn't powerful enough, you can have a 1-2 page section of WD to update it next month. And as the internal development process goes along, new units can be added in like what they do with Forgeworld.

Over the course of 6 months or so, GW should have enough input to put out a codex the majority of the player base is pretty happy with, while retaining control over the whole process. And you avoid some of the freaking out and panicking associated with new units like Dreadknights, or annoyance over things like 'nidz losing frag grenades and pissing off all the 'nidz players.