Cheat Sheet: Vehicle Rules

This cheat sheet compiles a number of vehicles rules into a simple front-and-back printable PDF.  It includes numerous tables, charts and a number of small simple rules which are frequently overlooked when dealing with vehicles.

Cheat Sheet: Vehicle Rules (Download)

White Dwarf: 218 (March, 1998)

Era: 2nd Edition

Length: 128 pages

Notable 40K Content:

• Digganob (expansion article for Gorka Morka), page 14
• Necron Onslaught (article w/ codex entries for Necron Lord, and Destroyer - including Destroyer Datafax), page 24
• Massacre at Sanctuary 101 (SoB vs. Necron scenario and battle report), page 28
• Massacre at Big Toof River (second article on the showcase table from Games Day '97), page 66

White Dwarf: 217 (February, 1998)

 Era: 2nd Edition

Length: 101 pages

Notable 40K Content:

• Necron Raiders (Necron introductory article w/ codex entries for Necron Warriors and Scarabs), page 27
• A Desperate Mission (Necron introductory scenario), page 35
• Mad Meks (Gorka Morka conversion article), page 55
• Imperial Guard Praetorian XXIV (special limited edition army highlight article), page 60

White Dwarf: 216 (January, 1998)

Era: 2nd Edition

Length: 105 pages

Notable 40K Content:

• Get Scrappin'! (Gorka Morka article with three new scenarios), page 46
• Punchout Eldar warpgate/shrine (card insert)
• Lightning Attack! (Eldar Falcon introductory article + scenario), page 66
• The Wings of Darkness (abbreviated battle report, Eldar vs. Chaos), page 73
• A Great Undertaking (Codex Assassins introductory article), page 84

White Dwarf: 215 (December, 1997)

Era: 2nd Edition

Length: 107 pages

Notable 40K Content:

• Da Badskars Get Bad! (Gorka Morka report, article), page 10
• The Making of the Eldar Falcon Grav Tank (design and construction article), page 38
• Massacre at Big Toof River (gigantic display construction article), page 44
• Silent Menace (Space Marine scouts article, Codex entry for Scout squad), page 69
• The Eternal Crusade (campaign article on mixing 40K w/ Epic 40K games), page 94

White Dwarf: 214 ('Orkvember', 1997)

Era: 2nd Edition

Length: 125 pages

Notable 40K Content:

• All Along the Watchtower (Gorka Morka terrain article) page 32
• We Wuz Ere Furst (Gorka Morka battle report) page 34
• Punch-out card Watchtower
• The Might of the Imperium (army showcase article, Imperial Guard), page 76

White Dwarf: 213 (October, 1997)

Era: 2nd Edition

Length: 100 Pages

Notable 40K Content:

• Gorka Morka (massive introductory article), page 9
• Redemption (Ravenwing Attack Force release article), page 26
• Purge! (Storm of Vengeance Scenario Pack article and additional scenario), page 31
• Punch-out card barricades (for use with earlier scenario) 
• "Did you see that cactus move?" (how to use infiltrating troops/scouts article), page 57
• Sisters of Battle are put through their paces... (article covering a vague over-view of the three SoB scenarios from Issue 212 --- played against varying enemies), page 77

White Dwarf: 212 (September, 1997)

Era: 2nd Edition

Length: 127 Pages

Notable 40K Content:

• Sisters of Battle (Introductory article as well as three Sisters-specific scenarios: Defend the Shrine, Liberate the Relic, and Pierce the Darkness.  Printable immolator template), page 9
• Punch-Out Card "Shrine" for use with Sisters of Battle (card insert)
• Gorka Morka (Introductory article), no page listed (second half of magazine)
• Gorka Morka Inspirations (art samples) end of magazine

White Dwarf: 211 (August, 1997)

Era: 2nd Edition

Length: 109 Pages

Notable 40K Content:

• Codex: Sisters of Battle (Introductory article and Codex entry for Sisters of Battle Sororitas Squad), page 49

Resources: Necron Raiders (Now includes Scarabs!)

EDIT: This PDF was updated to include the special entry for Scarabs!

Here is a compilation of the various small articles detailing the Necron Raiders for use in 2nd edition.  It includes a datafax for the Necron Destroyer as well.

Necron Raiders (Download)

Cheat Sheet: Strategy Ratings

Along with the Project Anvil revision, I'll be trying to compile simple cheat sheets for player use with 2nd edition Warhammer 40K.  I hope to allow players to compile a small folder of Cheat Sheets which address common mistakes and commonly used materials.

The first is an oddball one.  Strategy Ratings.  This is a simple compiled list of all of the available Strategy Ratings in Warhammer 40K, 2nd Edition.

Cheat Sheet: Strategy Ratings (Download)

Inspiration: Video Reviews of 2nd Edition

Occasionally a well-known YouTube channel will run a review of 2nd edition materials.  I've decided to link them here for people who get bored!

Bell of Lost Souls Review Warhammer 40K, 2nd Edition

Spikey Bits doing the same!

I'll throw in some link reviews into the Codex overviews as well.

Inspiration: White Dwarf Inspired Pictures

Anyone who collected or played 40K in the mid-90's will recognize the homage below.  The large staged images with a simple caption on a swirled grey marble background was a hallmark of rulebooks, codices and White Dwarf magazines (for quite some time the rear cover of each White Dwarf was done in this fashion).  I've assembled my painted models and tried to replicate the feel of some of these images.

White Dwarf: 204 (January, 1997)

Era: 2nd Edition

Length: 109 Pages

Notable 40K Content:

• Chambers of the Horned Rat (long-term 40K campaign report), page 17
• Plague Marines (Plague Marine article and unit entry), page 33
• Home Defence (Necromunda automated defenses article), page 45
• 'Eavy Metal: Treadheads (armour/tank painting/kitbashing article), page 55
• Anti-Tanktics (how-to-counter tanks article), page 77

White Dwarf: 203 (December, 1996)

Era: 2nd Edition

Length: 107 Pages

Notable 40K Content:

• Fred Reed (40K kitbash and army showcase), page 19
• Space Hulk: The Fate of the Sword of Halcyon (Five Space Hulk missions), page 33
• Wrath of Ulthwe (Eldar vs. Imperial guard campaign ideas and missions), page 59
• Special Character: Commissar Lorr (for the above campaign), page 67
• Judgment Day (Necromunda Battle Report), page 92
  

White Dwarf: 202 (November, 1996)

Era: 2nd Edition

Length: 91 Pages

Notable 40K Content:

• "The Sorcerer" (Ahriman article and entry), page 9
• "Lost in the Warp" (Chaos model kit-bashing article, Blanche art), page 33
• Modeling Workshop - Space Ship Wreckage, page 57
• "A Warrior's Duty" (Imperial Guard vs. Eldar battle report), page 76

 

White Dwarf: 201 (October, 1996)

Era: 2nd Edition

Length: 107 Pages

Notable 40K Content:

• "Legions of Darkness" (Chaos Terminators article and entry), page 9
• "Rapid Assault" (Space Marine bike article and unit entry), page 21
• Space Hulk: Duty and Honour (Three Ultramarines Space Hulk missions), page 49
• "It Came from the Sump" (Necromunda ideas/scenario), page 62
• "Waaagh Grishnak!" (Ork army spotlight), page 77
• "The Betrayer" (Kharn the Betrayer article and entry), page 87

White Dwarf: 200 (August, 1996)

Era: 2nd Edition

Length: 125 Pages

Notable 40K Content:

• "An Eternity of Madness" (Chaos Dreadnought article), page 10
• "Faith in the Emperor" (article on the spirit of the game), page 23
• "Tales from the Underhive" (Necromunda article on play variations), page 39
• Space Hulk: Fangs of Fenris (Three Space Wolf missions), page 73
• "Manflayer" (Fabius Bile article), page 89
• Kneel Before Me! (Orks vs. Chaos battle report), page 110

White Dwarf: 180 (December, 1994)

Era: 2nd Edition

Length: 78 Pages

Notable 40K Content:

• Catachan Jungle Fighters (introductory article w/ army list entry), page 12
• "A Bitter Harvest" (Orks vs. Howling Griffons battle report), page 52
  

White Dwarf: 179 (November, 1994)

Era: 2nd Edition

Length: 80 Pages

Notable 40K Content:

• "Rules of Engagement" (article on unit targeting priority), page 7
• "Ruined Buildings" (modeling workshop article), page 19
• "Speed Freaks" (article on Ork vehicle-based armies), page 37

White Dwarf: 178 (October, 1994)

Era: 2nd Edition

Length: 76 Pages

Notable 40K Content:

• The Leman Russ (article and printed datafax), page 25
• Printed vehicle cards (Electric Hull, Ablative Armour, Vortex Detonator, Ceramite Armour), page 30.
• "The Mailed Fist" (article on vehicle tactics), page 31

Resources: Weapon Templates

One feature of 2nd edition Warhammer 40K was the templates - oh the templates!  Admittedly not its strongest feature, but like many things in that edition of the game, even weapons has very unique character/traits.

Provided below is a PDF by my wonderful friend Audrey.  Fit for printing (suggest heavy lamination when printed, etc.)

Warhammer 2nd Edition Weapon Templates

Reference: Codex Assassins

Codex Assassins was a very late arrival to 2nd edition.  It was unique in that it did not feature an army, but rather the combined rules for the four types of Imperial Assassin which had previously been provided in scattered White Dwarf articles as they were released.  It is extremely small and is little more than a magazine.  Its 3rd edition replacement was even MORE scant and would feature the same cover art only a year later (or thereabouts).  It was also a hint at 3rd edition as this book included no wargear cards (even special wargear for various units was occasionally put into wargear cards) - this book "almost" shares the format of later 3rd edition books.

Date: 1997

Length: 24 Pages

Armies Included: None (Assassins may be used in Space Marine, Imperial Guard, or Adeptus Ministorum armies)

Included Wargear Cards:

• None

Included Datafaxes:

• None

Included Unit Entries:

• Vindicare Assassin
• Callidus Assassin
• Eversor Assassin
• Culexus Assassin

Included Special Characters:

• None

Reference / Resource: Codex Army Lists

When 2nd Edition Warhammer 40K launched it did so without a wave of immediate codex releases (the codex idea was relatively new).  In its place the boxed started game came with two small books called the Codex Imperialis and the Codex Army Lists.  The Codex Imperialis was a book full of fluff and background for the amassed units of 40K, while the Codex Army Lists book provided the actual breakdown of armies - featuring all of their units, points costs, construction rules, and wargear.

This "black book" as it's commonly known, would be the codex for all armies until they received their own codices in turn.  Some armies such as the Inquisition, various Imperial Agents and Squats would never receive a proper codex.  This was the last time you'd see a Squat Army List for Warhammer 40K - they were subsequently removed from the game.

I don't recall reading in White Dwarf how strict GW was about the use of the black book after subsequent codices were released.  I doubt you'd find anyone who would argue if you wanted to use the "black book" instead of a codex.  This book (provided here in PDF form) varied quite a bit from the later codices (points value, army lists, wargear etc. were all quite different).

Being the earliest form of codex for 2nd Edition the book is exceptionally scant on vehicles, considering it was essentially borrowing from Rogue Trader at the time (so vehicles were few and far between).

Warhammer 40K 2nd Ed. Codex Army Lists

Date:1993

Length: 24 Pages

Armies Included: Space Marines, Imperial Guard, Imperial Agents, Squats, Orks, Eldar, Chaos, Tyranids, Genestealers

Included Datafaxes:

• None

Included Wargear Cards:

• None

Included Unit Entries:

Space Marines

• Space Marine Commander
• Company Standard
• Captain
• Apothecary
• Chaplain
• Techmarine
• Librarian
• Veteran Sergeants
• Terminator Squad
• Tactical Squad
• Assault Squad
• Devastator Squad
• Scout Squad
•  Support Weapon

Imperial Guard

• Imperial Guard Colonel
• Tech-Priest Engineers
• Command Section
• Veteran Sergeants
• Tactical Squad
• Support Squad
• Assault Squad
• Penal Legion Squad
• Rough Rider Squad
• Veteran Squad
• Ogryn Squad
• Ratling Squad
• Support Weapon

Imperial Agents

• Judge
• Arbites Champion
• Tech-Priest Magos
• Tech-Priest Engineer
• Canoness
• Veteran Sister Superior
• Preacher
• Confessor
• Adeptus Astra Telepathica Prime Psyker
• Assassin
• Inquisitor
• Arbitrator Squad
• Tech-Priest Squad
• Electro Priest Squad
• Servitor Squad
• Support Weapon
• Sororitas Squad
• Grey Knights Terminator Squad

Squats

• Warlord
• Battle Standard
• Hearthguard
• Engineer Guildmaster
• Ancestor Lord
• Warrior Squad
• Attack Squad
• Thunderer Squad
• Weapon Team
• Bike Squad
• Heavy Weapons Bike

Orks

• Warboss
• Battle Standard
• Big Boss
• Freebooter Kaptin
• Nob
• Mekaniak
• Painboy
• Runtherd
• Weirdboy
• Nobz Mob
• Bad Moons Mob
• Blood Axe Mob
• Death Skull Mob
• Evil Sunz Mob
• Goff Mob
• Snakebite Mob
• Gretchin Mob
• Snotling Herd
• Stormboyz Korps
• Mad Mob
• Freebooter Pirates
• Flash Gitz Mob
• Wildboyz Mob
• Ogryn Mob
• Weirdboy Warphead Mob
• Runtherd Artillery

Eldar

• Farseer
• Avatar
• Exarch
• Warlock
• Harlequin Troupe
• Dire Avenger Squad
• Fire Dragon Squad
• Howling Banshee Squad
• Striking Scorpion Squad
• Swooping Hawks Squad
• Dark Reaper Squad
• Guardian Squad
• Guardian Close Combat Squad
• Guardian Battle Squad
• Eldar Scout Squad
• Support Team

Chaos

•  Chaos Space Marine Commander
• Chaos Space Marine Hero
• Chaos Space Marine Champion
• Noise Marine Champion
• Chaos Magus
• Beastman Champion
• Cultist Coven Leader
• Chaos Space Marine Terminator Squad
• Chaos Space Marine Squad
• Noise Marine Squad
• Chaos Cultist Coven
• Beastmen Pack
• Chaos Hound Pack
• Khorne Daemons (Four entries)
• Slaanesh Daemons (Four entries)
• Nurgle Daemons (Four entries)
• Tzeentch Daemons (Four entries)

Tyranids

• Hive Tyrant
• Tyranid Warrior Brood
• Termagant Brood
• Genestealer Brood
• Carnifex 

Genestealers

• Genestealer Patriarch
• Genestealer Magus
• Genestealer Brood
• Hybrid Brood
• Brood Brother Squad

Included Special Characters: 

• None

Imperial Agents: The Codex that never was...

During 2nd Edition there were frequent mentions of an "upcoming" Codex for Imperial Agents.  It was even mentioned in type in some of the released codices, often allowing armies to take allies from the "upcoming Codex Imperial Agents", etc.  It was likely that this would have combined Inquisition, Grey Knights, possibly Sisters of Battle, Witch Hunters, Ordo X, Y and Z, assassins, Arbites etc.  This never came to pass.

Inspiration: Art of 40K

Posts listed as inspiration will be just that...just a nice break from rules and hobbying to admire some of the origins of the Warhammer experience.  The following art ranges from Rogue Trader to 2nd edition.

The cover of the 2nd Edition starter box featuring Blood Angels and Orks.  Years later, the captain on the cover of this box would receive a limited edition figure and a name.

An Imperial Guard trooper and Crimson Fist apothecaries/marines pull their wounded back.  Note the Squat in the back with the autogun.

Blood Angel terminators.  Note the older design power gloves and storm bolters (RT era, not 2nd).

Dark Angel Space Marines featuring the now famous "Pacino" face.

The cover art for the Dark Millenium expansion box (which included new Psyker rules, vehicle cards, wargear, and templates for 2nd edition).

Dark Angels Deathwing terminators in a Space Hulk (note the white-armoured librarian on the right?)

Beautiful lively art from one of the Epic Space Marine box sets, an expansion.

Harlequins in all of their colourful and checkered glory!

Pretty well known Mk6 Ultramarines picture - featured on the front of a White Dwarf from the early 1990's.

A beautiful colour plate of Imperial Guard in RT era.  Note the flag reads "Necromundia".

Nice artwork for the Orks.

One of the most famous "Oldhammer" pieces of art, the Crimson Fist stand which was the cover art for the Rogue Trader book.

Resources: Strategy Cards

These are cards which were occasionally hotly contested.  I doubt I'll be using them with PA, but I have decided to provide the resource for those who wish to use them.

Warhammer 40K 2nd Edition Strategy Cards

Strategy cards were special events you could play during the game to mix it up.  While good in theory, some of these could be absolutely catastrophic!

If anyone knows the source of this excellent PDF, please do let me know

Resources: Vehicle Modification Cards

The following PDF contains vehicle modification cards (essentially wargear cards for your vehicles).

Warhammer 40K 2nd Edition Vehicle Cards

When using these cards remember the one limitation mentioned in the rules.  No two vehicles that you field may have identical equipment.  Vehicles may have similar items, but must be different.  For instance you may NOT field two Leman Russ tanks both with dozer blades and hunter killer missiles.  However you may field a Leman Russ with a hunter killer missile and a dozer blade, and another with a dozer blade and reinforced armour.

If anyone knows the source of this excellent PDF, please do let me know.

Resources: Psychic Power Cards

The following link contains a quality PDF for the Psychic Power Cards from 2nd Edition.

Warhammer 40K 2nd Edition Psychic Power Cards

As a reminder, armies use the following Psychic Powers:

Space Marine Librarians

• Primary Discpline: Librarian powers.
• Tertiary Discipline: Inquisition and Adeptus powers.

Inquisitors and Grey Knights

• Primary Discpline: Inquisition powers.
• Tertiary Discipline: Librarian and Adeptus powers.

Adeptus Astra Telepathica Prime Psykers

• Primary Discpline: Adeptus powers.
• Tertiary Discipline: None.

Squat Ancestor Lords

• Primary Discpline: Squat powers.
• Tertiary Discipline: Adeptus powers.

Ork Weirdboyz

• Primary Discpline: Ork powers.
• Tertiary Discipline: None.

Eldar Warlocks and Farseers

• Primary Discpline: Eldar powers.
• Tertiary Discipline: None.

Chaos Magus

• Primary Discpline: Either Slaanesh, Tzeentch, or Nurgle powers.
• Tertiary Discipline: Adeptus powers.

Daemons

• Primary Discpline: Either Slaanesh, Tzeentch or Nurgle powers.
• Tertiary Discipline: None.

Hive Tyrant and Genestealer Patriarch

• Primary Discpline: Tyranid powers.
• Tertiary Discipline: None.

Genestealer Magus

• Primary Discpline: Tyranid powers.
• Tertiary Discipline: Adeptus powers.

If anyone knows the source of this excellent PDF, please do let me know.

Reference: Specialty Dice

In 2nd edition, the boxed game provided three unique types of dice for gameplay.  These were all 16mm D6 dice with custom faces.  If I recall you received two red Sustained Fire Dice, and one each of the white Artillery and Scatter dice.

Sustained Fire Dice

Sustained Fire dice were red D6 dice used to represent the rapid fire ability of numerous weapons in Warhammer 40K.  Oddly (something people frequently got wrong), a unit would roll to shoot prior to rolling Sustained Fire dice.  The dice represented a burst of fire, not spraying bullets/blasts all over the place.  So the burst of fire either struck the target or did not.  If a successful to-hit roll was made, then  you rolled the number of Sustained Fire dice indicated in the weapon's profile.

Common weapons which featured the Sustained Fire dice were Storm Bolters, Shuriken Catapults, and almost every heavy weapon.  In 2nd edition, sustained fire is what separated Plasma weapons from other weapons as well.

The Sustained Fire dice used the following symbols shown above*.  The "Jammed" icon meant that the weapon was unavailable for the next turn (or several turns if you rolled several of these).  This was cumbersome and painful to remember when you were fielding a unit of 10 Eldar guardians, all armed with Shuriken Catapults.

*In the above diagram, the layout has been slightly altered.  On the normal Sustained Fire dice the "ones" and "twos" would be opposite each other.

Certain weapons such as the Assault Cannon could blow up if three "Jammed" icons were rolled in a single attack.

Scatter and Artillery Dice

The two white specialty dice were the Scatter dice (easily recognizable to modern gamers) and the complimentary Artillery dice.  These were used in a number of games at the time and were frequently sold in pairs.  The Artillery dice later disappeared in subsequent versions of 40K.

The Scatter dice were just as they are today, consisting of four sides with directional arrows and two opposing sides featuring "HIT" with a subdued arrow in the 12 o'clock position.  These were used for determining the direction units, weapons, effects, jump packs, etc. moved.  In some instances this die was used alone or in conjunction with 2D6 or a D3.

The Scatter die's sides were laid out as seen above.

The Artillery dice consisted of five sides featuring numbers (escalating by twos = 2,4,6,8,10) and one face featuring "Misfire".  In some European countries and foreign markets the Artillery dice featured measurements in centimeters (CM).  You'll see some with numbers like 20-25, etc.  Those are for foreign markets.  In addition, for non-English markets the Artillery dice frequently came with a burst symbol with an exclamation point inside it --- in place of "Misfire" typed out.

These two dice were frequently used together to determine how a heavy weapon or artillery piece scored its hits.  Misfire + "Hit" often resulted in the weapon catastrophically blowing up over the firing model.  Some weapons such as Ork shootas or blastas actually used the Artillery dice to determine the weapon's strength when firing (i.e. the player would roll to hit and then roll an Artillery dice to determine the weapon's strength; the save modifier being half of the rolled strength).

The use of the Artillery and Scatter dice were frequent and are indicative of the more random and weird-agent rules which were present in 2nd edition.

Reference: Codex Chaos

Codex Chaos set a new standard when it arrived.  Unfortunately it was subject to a lot of power creep, but the codex is huge - absolutely brimming with content.  It should be considered required reading for Chaos players regardless of what edition they play.  It is simply packed with wargear, special rules, new psyker rules, special characters, and army lists.  It's probably the finest work of the 2nd edition codices - from a "bang for buck" standpoint.  The Daemon World Army even let players essentially run Warhammer Fantasy models in 40K.


Date: 1996

Length: 143 Pages

Armies Included: Chaos Space Marines, Chaos Cult, Daemon World Army

Included Wargear Cards:

• Inferno Bolts
• Chaos Terminator Armour
• The Talon of Horus
• The Daemon Sword Drach 'Nyen
• Gorechild
• The Chirurgeon
• Rod of Torment
• Xyclos Needler
• Black Staff of Ahriman

Included Chaos Reward Cards:

• Scream of Slaanesh
• Gaze of Slaanesh
• Allure of Slaanesh
• Steed of Slaanesh
• Juggernaut of Khorne
• Collar of Khorne
• Axe of Khorne
• Praise of Khorne
• Breathe Fire
• Destiny of Tzeentch
• Disc of Tzeentch
• Fortune of Tzeentch
• Nurgle's Cloud of Flies
• Nurgle's Rot
• Beast of Nurgle
• Plaguesword

Included Datafaxes:

• Chaos Space Marine Bike
• Chaos Space Marine Rhino
• Chaos Dreadnought
• Chaos Marine Land Raider
• Chaos Marine Predator

Included Chaos Vehicle Upgrades:

• Nurgle Infestation
• Destroyer
• Combi-Bolter
• Daemonic Possession
• Warp Amp
• Coruscating Warp Flame

Included Unit Entries:

• Chaos Lord
• Army Icon
• Chaos Space Marine Sorcerer
• Greater Daemon
• Chaos Champion
• Chaos Aspiring Champion
• Chaos Space Marine Terminators
• Veteran Chaos Space Marine Squad
• Chaos Space Marine Squad
• Plague Marines
• Khorne Berzerkers
• Thousand Sons Marines
• Noise Marines
• Chaos Space Marine Bikers
• Chaos Space Marine Dreadnought
• Chaos Space Marine Land Raider
• Chaos Space Marine Rhino
• Chaos Space Marine Predator
• Flesh Hounds - Daemons of Khorne
• Bloodletters - Daemons of Khorne
• Beasts - Daemons of Nurgle
• Plaguebearers - Daemons of Nurgle
• Nurglings - Daemons of Nurgle
• Pink Horrors - Daemons of Tzeentch
• Flamers - Daemons of Tzeentch
• Daemonettes of Slaanesh
• Fiends of Slaanesh
• Demagogue
• Chaos Magus
• Cult Icon Bearer
• Acolyte
• Beastman Champion
• Chaos Cultist Coven
• Beastman Pack
• Daemon Prince
• Great Daemon (Repeat)
• Daemonic Icon Bearer
• Chaos Warrior Champion
• Chaos Magus (Repeat)
• Beastman Champion (Repeat)
• All Daemon Types (Repeated)
• Chaos Warrior Warband
• Chaos Hound Pack
• Beastmen
• Minotaurs
• Trolls

Included Special Characters:

• Abaddon the Despoiler, Warmaster of Chaos
• Kharn the Betrayer
• Fabius Bile
• Huron Blackheart, Tyrant of Badab, Master of the Red Corsairs, Lord of the Maelstrom, the Reaver
• Ahriman
• Doombreed, Daemon Prince of Khorne
• N'Kari, Daemon Prince of Slaanesh
• Foulspawn, Daemon Prince of Nurgle
• M'Kachan, Daemon Prince of Tzeentch
• Cypher, Fallen Dark Angel Champion 

PART 1/2

 PART 2/2

Reference: Codex Space Wolves

The first of the official Space Marine codices, Space Wolves introduce a lot of options which would later be abused by not-so-scrupulous gamers!  Space Wolves were one of the most unique of the Space Marine forces - featuring units unlike any other published chapters.  It is also the only codex to feature a battle report in its contents.

Date: 1994

Length: 88 Pages

Armies Included: Space Wolves

Included Wargear Cards:

• The Axe Morkai
• Master-Crafted Bolt Pistol
• Frostfang
• The Pelt of Wulfen
• The Wolf Helm of Russ
• Night Wing the Cyber Raven
• The Rune Staff Stormcaller
• The Hood of Gnyrll
• The Helm of Durfast
• The Wulfen Stone
• Hrulf's Hood of Darkness
• Torgarl's Plasma Blade

Included Datafaxes:

• Bjorn the Fell-Handed (in the Special Characters area)

Included Unit Entries:

• Wolf Lord
• Wolf Priest
• Rune Priest
• Iron Priest
• Wolf Guard Champions
• Grey Hunter Pack
• Blood Claw Pack
• Long Fang Pack
• Wolf Scouts
• Wolfguard
• Dreadnought
• Servitor Bodyguard
• Rapier Laser Destroyer
• Tarantula
• Bike
• Land Raider
• Rhino
• Land Speeder
• Predator

Included Special Characters:

• Wolf Priest Ulrik the Slayer
• Wolf Lord Ragnar Blackmane
• Njal Stormcaller
• Great Wolf Logan Grimnar
• Wolf Guard Durfast of Mordrak
• Wolf Guard Ranulf
• Bjorn the Fell-Handed
• Wolf Lord Kyrl Grimblood

 

Reference: Codex Imperial Guard

Codex Imperial Guard was a big deal when it came out.  It solidified the scattered Imperial bits from previous editions and army lists.  It introduced numerous new war machines (finally separating Marine vehicles from Guard vehicles) and was supported by a large range of metal Imperial Guard miniatures.  The Imperial Guard would gain a reputation for brutal firepower...

Date: 1995

Length: 112 Pages

Armies Included: Imperial Guard

Included Wargear Cards:

• Claw of the Desert Tigers
• Crushing Arm of Kamir
• Eye of the Falcon
• Force Field
• Bale Eye
• Battle Claw

Included Datafaxes:

• Imperial Guard Sentinel
• Imperial Hellhound
• Leman Russ Demolisher
• Leman Russ Battle Tank
• Imperial Basilisk
• Imperial Griffon
• Imperial Chimera

Included Unit Entries:

• Command HQ
• Command Squad
• Rough Rider Command Squad
• Primaris Psyker
• Commissar
• Imperial Guard Squad
• Imperial Guard Heavy Weapons Squad
• Rough Rider Squad
• Ogryns
• Ratling Snipers
• Storm Troopers
• Leman Russ
• Leman Russ Demolisher
• Griffon
• Chimera
• Basilisk
• Hellhound
• Sentinel Squadron

Included Special Characters:

• Lord Commander Solar Macharius
• Commissar Yarrick
• Nork Deddog, Ogryn Bodyguard
• Captain Al'Rahem of Tallarn
• Captain Chenkov of Valhalla
• Colonel Shaefer's Last Chancers Penal Squad
• Stumper Muckstart, Ratling Sharp Shooter
• Captain Mogul Kamir

 

Reference: Codex Angels of Death

Codex Angels of Death was a large tome included a heap of information for running both the Blood Angels and Dark Angels.  This is a larger book with a lot of content, heaps of wargear and a good smattering of special characters.

Date: 1996

Length: 120 Pages

Armies Included: Dark Angels, Blood Angels

Included Wargear Cards:

• Standard of Fortitude
• Standard of Retribution
• Standard of Devastation
• Death Mask of Sanguinius
• The Inferno Pistol
• Master-Crafter Plasma Pistol
• Red Grail
• Shroud of Sanguinius
• The Lion Helm
• Sword of Secrets
• Book of Salvation
• Blades of Reason
  

Included Datafaxes:

• Ravenwing Land Speeder
• Space Marine Whirlwind
  

Included Unit Entries:

Dark Angels

• Master of the Death Wing
• Master of the Raven Wing
• Dark Angels Master
• Company Standard
• Chaplains
• Librarians
• Apothecary
• Techmarine
• Veteran Sergeants
• Deathwing Squad
• Assault Squad
• Tactical Squad
• Devastator Squad
• Scout Squad
• Ravenwing Land Speeder Squadron
• Ravenwing Bike Squadron
• Ravenwing Attack Bike Squadron
• Tarantula
• Space Marine Dreadnought
• Rapier Laser Destroyer
• Space Marine Whirlwind
• Space Marine Land Raider
• Space Marine Predator
• Space Marine Rhino
• Space Marine Razorback

Blood Angels 

•  Terminator Captain
• Space Marine Captain
• Company Standard
• Chaplain
• Librarian
• Apothecary
• Techmarine
• Veteran Sergeants
• Death Company
• Terminator Squad
• Veteran Space Marine Assault Squad
• Assault Squad
• Devastator Squad
• Scout Squad
• Tactical Squad
• Bike Squadron
• Space Marine Dreadnought
• Tarantula
• Rapier Laser Destroyer
• Space Marine Land Raider
• Space Marine Whirlwind
• Space Marine Predator
• Space Marine Rhino
• Space Marine Razorback
• Space Marine Land Speeder
• Space Marine Attack Bike

Included Special Characters: 

• Commander Azrael, Supreme Grand Master of the Dark Angels, Keeper of the Truth
• Ezekiel, Grand Master of Librarians, Keeper of the Book of Salvation, Holder of the Keys
• Brother Bethor, Bearer of the Sacred Standard
• Sapphon, Grand Master of Chaplains, Finder of Secrets
• Asmodai, Interrogator Chaplain
• Commander Dante, Lord of the Blood Angels
• Veteran Sergeant Cleutin, Guardian of the Shroud of Sanguinius
• Chief Librarian Mephiston, Lord of Death
• Apothecary Corbulo, Sanguinary Priest of the Blood Angels
• Brother-Captain Tycho, Commander of the 3rd Company

 

 

Reference: Codex Sisters of Battle

Sisters of Battle, the Codex, snuck in just before the end of 2nd edition - it's often lamented because of this fact.  Sisters is the closest thing we ever got to the oft-rumoured "Imperial Agents" codex which never materialized.

Date: 1997

Length: 64 Pages

Included Armies: Sisters of Battle

Included Wargear Cards:

• None

Included Datafaxes:

• Sisters of Battle Immolator

Included Unit Entries:

•  Canoness
• Veteran Sister Superior
• Veteran Seraphim Superior
• Missionary
• Confessor
• Preacher
• Battle Sister Squad
• Seraphim Squad
• Frateris Militia Band
• Rhino
• Adepta Sororitas Immolator
  

Included Special Characters: 

• Saint Praxedes of Ophelia VII
• Helena the Virtuous, Prioress of the Convent Sanctorum
• Uriah Jacobus, Protector of the Faith
• Redemptor Kyrinov, Arch-Confessor
• Cardinal Armandus Helfire 

 

Reference: Codex Tyranids

The original "bugs" (or dinosaurs depending on who you ask...) the Tyranids codex combined a fleshed out Tyranid army and a Genestealer Cult List.  Acknowledging that a Tyranids army would never fight according to conventional rules or objectives, the Tyranids Codex includes special missions for the army.  The codex makes up for its somewhat scant list of units with a lot of special Tyranid tables/rules/options/biomorphs, etc.

Date: 1995

Length: 88 Pages

Armies Included: Tyranids, Genestealer Cult

Included Wargear Cards: None (Includes Biomorph list)

Included Datafaxes:

• None

Included Mission Cards:

• Tyranid Attack
• Trap
• Terrorise

Included Unit Entries:

• Hive Tyrant
• Zoanthrope 
• Lictor
• Tyranid Warrior Brood
• Genestealer Brood
• Termagant Brood
• Hormagaunt Brood
• Gargoyle Brood
• Carnifex
• Ripper Swarm
• Spore Mines
• Biovores
• Genestealer Patriarch
• Genestealer Magus
• Cult Icon Bearer
• Genestealer Brood (Identical to earlier entry)
• Genestealer Hybrid (Neophyte, Acolyte)
• Genestealer Hybrid Brood (Neophytes, Acolytes)
• Brood Brother Squad
• Brood Brother Heavy Weapon Team
• Rapier Laser Destroyer
• Tarantula
• Mole Mortar
• Thudd Gun
  

Included Special Characters:

• None

Reference: Codex Orks

Codex Orks was the last hurrah of the vibrant coloured, bizarre and wild Orks.  In 2nd edition, Orks were organized around clans and different fighting styles.  The entire wargear section and all of their artillery were based on luck and madness rather than skill.  Orks were an absolute riot prior to the coming darkness of later editions.

Date: 1994

Length: 88 Pages

Armies Included: Orks

Included Wargear Cards:

• Ghazghkull's Adamantium Skull
• Runtherd's Grabba-Stick
• Kustom Shoota (x2)
• Cybork Body
• Buzzer Squig Stikkbombz
• Vaxxine Squig
• Sniffer Squig
• Doc's Tools
• Kustom Blasta (x2)
• Mekboy's Tools
• Kustom Force Field
• Force Field Projecta
  

Included Datafaxes:

• None

Included Unit Entries:

• Warboss
• Battle Standard
• Bigboss
• Freebooter Kaptin
• Blood Axe Kommando Kaptin
• Drillboss
• Nobz
• Mekaniak
• Painboy
• Runtherd
• Weirdboy
• Weirdboy Warphead
• Ogryn Leader
• Gretchin Assistants
• Nobz Mob
• Blood Axe Kommando Mob
• Freebooter Pirates
• Mad Mob
• Bad Moons Boyz Mob
• Blood Axe Boyz Mob
• Stormboyz Korps
• Deathskulls Mob
• Evil Sunz Boyz Mob
• Goff Boyz Mob
• Snakebite Boyz Mob
• Gretchin Mobs
• Ogryn Mob
• Ork Dreadnought
• Pulsa Rokkit
• Smasha Gun
• Splatta Kannon
• War Buggy
• Ork Wartrak
• Scorcher
• Nobz Bike
• Warbike
  

Included Special Characters:

• Nazdreg Ug Urdgrub, Bad Moon Warlord
• Kaptin "Flash Git" Badrukk
• Mad Doc Grotsnik, Deathskull Painboy
• Ghazghkull Mag Uruk Thraka, Mighty Goff Warlord and Leader of the Waaaagh!
• Makari Ghazghkull's Battle Standard Bearer
• Zodgrod Wortsnagga, Snakebite Runtmaster
• Wazdakka Gutzmek, Evil Sunz Mekaniak and Bad Ork Bikeboy