Codex Creep?

[Skragger]

I hear the term being thrown around an awful lot.. but what exactly DOES 'codex creep' mean?

[Aldramelech]

Basically, every time GW bring out a new Codex its better then all the others, this (allegedly) is to sell the new product.
Not everyone subscribes to this theory or that codex creep exists at all.

[Aceshigh]

lol im not sure i buy into codex creep but the rumors for the spacewolves sounds like they are gonna be insane

[Exitus Acta Probat]

Part of the phenomenon described as 'codex creep' is not a result of codices at all,
but edition.
As a codex falls further and further behind the 'new edition' dexes, glaring gaps in play style/design/balancing for rules become more and more pronounced.
Issues like Thornback (nids) becoming null and void with a newer rules set, or Items becoming over priced (assault cannons rising in cost AND THEN getting the 5e nerf) make tactics and army builds roll over...and when a codex doesn't have a roll over option that fits the new edition, it makes it seem woefully outclassed by dint of the new dex.
Instead, it's a function of the newer dexes being edition appropriate.
As we get further and further into the 5e dexes, codex creep griping will become less pronounced (excepting for poor Daemonhunters and Dark Eldar...though DE are still competitive they have no 5e flavor or tuning).

It will continue to ebb and flow, as editions come out, until a majority of codex printings are in 'tune' with 5e tactical builds.
Also, it is more significant with this edition, because though on the surface it was not a huge shift...I liken the 5e jump to the 2nd ed to 3rd ed jump. Though very little was outright made illegal, as in the previous shift, the far reaching 4e/5e implications are nearly as deep.

[darth_papi76]

People always say that the next codex is going to be too much. It's never as bad as they think.

[Skragger]

So its similar to how Necrons got nerfed when a glancing blow can no longer destroy a vehicle? Hmmm.. interesting. I'd never heard the phrase before until shortly after the space wolves stuff started coming out and suddenly its everywhere lol

[Exitus Acta Probat]

It became very prevalent when the IG rumours started really hitting hard, and then came out...
Even here, it became an 'end of the world' reaction.
Then people started beating them.
Suddenly, no creep comments.

Similar to Nob Bikerz, and Fatecrusher lists. Once they get unlocked, as darth said, it's not as bad as people thought.

[Dazz]

It became very prevalent when the IG rumours started really hitting hard, and then came out...
Even here, it became an 'end of the world' reaction.
Then people started beating them.
Suddenly, no creep comments.

Similar to Nob Bikerz, and Fatecrusher lists. Once they get unlocked, as darth said, it's not as bad as people thought.

I'm sorry but hardly. It has been used and prevalent for as long as I remember(end of 2nd/Beginning of 3rd) The Tau were the ultimate codex creep, strength 5 weapons! Eldar were so broken, Traits and Doctrines made Guard and Space marines to powerful(especially free deepstrike and plasma spam)

Although not everywhere uses the term and it comes and goes it has been everywhere for years. I do agree though its fear and blind panic, rarely is there truth to it.

[Exitus Acta Probat]

I'm sorry but hardly. It has been used and prevalent for as long as I remember(end of 2nd/Beginning of 3rd) The Tau were the ultimate codex creep, strength 5 weapons! Eldar were so broken, Traits and Doctrines made Guard and Space marines to powerful(especially free deepstrike and plasma spam)

Although not everywhere uses the term and it comes and goes it has been everywhere for years. I do agree though its fear and blind panic, rarely is there truth to it.

Dazz:
it was in response to skragger's comment about hearing it suddenly pop up after the SW stuff became more readily available.
Yes, the term's been around for quite a while. QUITE. But it really has come back into the fore since 5e started showing a greater disparity in current vs older edition codexes.
I wasn't saying it didn't exist prior, I said it became VERY prevalent in recent times.
Everyone complains about something leaving their babes in the dust, 5e brought that even more into the limelight...IG made people react even more!

[Abominable Plague Marine]

@ Dazz. Can you please clarify your response? I see one paragraph wtih you giving many examples of what you believe to be codex creep, then in your second paragraph you denounce it as fear and blind panic?

I for one love getting over excited about new rules IF its for an army that I already have (I dont subcribe to purchasing a new army for the sake of keeping ahead of the pack), but Im very wary of people who only cry out "doom" statements on something that is broken before its release.

Codex creep is in the eye of the beholder, and I dont believe it exists.