Big Changes Coming To Space Marines In Warhammer 40,000

The Orks of Warhammer 40,000 will be getting their Codex very soon and that means the next one is lined up to drop in October. Codex: Space Marines is coming in the next few months and there are some big changes on the way for these power-armoured defenders of the Imperium.

Codex: Space Marine Changes // Warhammer 40,000

One of the biggest changes is that a bunch of Space Marines are going to be leaving the official Codex. It has been a long time coming and the writing has been on the wall for a while but in some good news, anything that is leaving is going to be useful as either Legendary Proxies or as Warhammer Legends.

When it comes to Legendary Proxies, a lot of older miniatures can be used as a newer unit entry...

• Tactical Squad – counts as an Intercessor Squad
• Devastator Squad – counts as a Desolation Squad
• Suppressor Squad  – counts as an Inceptor Squad
• Pedro Kantor – counts as a Captain (sorry Crimson Fists fans)
• Uriel Ventris  – counts as a Captain

Legendary Proxies can be used in your home games, in stores and clubs but if you're attending a Warhammer event, then you need to get the permission of the event organiser to use them in your games. You also have these units going to Warhammer Legends.

• Centurion Assault Squad
• Centurion Devastator Squad
• Razorback
• Predator Destructor
• Predator Annihilator
• Vindicator
• Whirlwind
• Stormhawk Interceptor
• Stormtalon Gunship
• Stormraven Gunship
• Hammerfall Bunker

No surprises there. A lot of classic vehicles that were showing their age, despite being absolutely rad (as I believe the kids say nowadays). Warhammer Legends units will get added into the Warhammer 40,000 App so you can still make use of them in your armies. Much like with the above proxies, Warhammer Legends still need permission to be used officially in tournaments, so keep that in mind. Nothing stops you from using them at home, though and it's good that they're getting rules in the app rather than being relegated to a PDF.

I would imagine this also means we might see a new, upgraded Rhino coming to the tabletop for Space Marine armies. That'd be fun!

Space Marine Glow-Up!

As well as the rules changes for a bunch of older miniatures, Space Marines are also getting something of a glow-up to fit in with the idea of them being the indoctrinated and elite killers of the Imperium.

Intercessor Squad Update // Warhammer 40,000

The standard Space Marine is now rocking a Strength of 5 in close combat and their trusty Bolt Rifles are also getting a rather swanky Strength 5 or 6 depending on the firing mode you choose. Additionally, standard Space Marines in Tacticus armour get a Toughness of 5.

There are also changes for more Space Marines. Phobos-armoured Space Marines' Toughness stays at 4 but they get a Movement of 8 inches, making use of the agility offered by their armour. This makes the Space Marines feel more like the transhuman killers they should be but this will also come with a points increase to carry through that elite look and feel.

Games Workshop also mentioned that Heretic Astartes (Chaos Space Marines) and Codex-divergent Chapters will also get a boost. As Games Workshop teased, Terminators now enjoy Toughness 6 and Strength 5 Storm Bolters. Lovely. This will carry through into the Warhammer 40,000 App when the Space Marine Codex drops.

So, some fairly big changes that come quite soon after the Orks getting a glow-up of their own for 11th Edition Warhammer 40,000. Are we back in the days of power creep? Will Games Workshop be able to balance these changes against the other armies of Warhammer 40,000, considering the way they release Codexes?

Drop your thoughts below!