All Warhammer 40k Codex release dates in 2025

Which Warhammer 40k codex releases are coming in 2025? 18 armies have now received their 10th edition codex (or at least an index update) – but there are eleven more we know will get a rulebook before the next edition. We’re keeping this guide stocked with all the 10th edition codex release dates we know are coming in 2025 and beyond, and the latest new releases too. There’s also handy info on how to use your codexes, and links to our army guides.

If you’re new to Games Workshop’s premier sci-fi miniature wargame, our expert guides to the Warhammer 40k factions will help you get oriented in this huge sci-fi world – there’s more than just Space Marine chapters.

For now, though, let’s run through the latest official codex rulebooks – some already released, some scheduled, and others as yet mired in mystery. You can click the links below to find the info you need:

• Confirmed 10th edition codex release dates
• 2025 Roadmap – which 10th edition codexes are coming next?
• Codex Space Wolves – everything we know
• All free Grotmas Calendar detachment PDFs
• How do I redeem Warhammer 40k codex codes?
• What are Warhammer 40k codexes?

Confirmed 10th edition codex release dates

Of the at least 24 10th edition codexes we expect to arrive over the (roughly) three years of the edition, 18 factions now have either a codex or an updated index, with three more books due in mid 2025. There was also a re-release of Index Deathwatch, after it was deprecated by Codex Imperial Agents, and a mid-edition refresh of Index Chaos Daemons.

Here’s a table showing all the codexes (and updates) released so far:

If you’re wondering when a particular codex released during 9th edition 40k, check out our guide to 9th edition codexes.

Chaos Daemons Rules Update

Games Workshop released a free, updated Chaos Daemons 10th edition index on March 12, 2025 – you can download the free PDF Index here. Though it dashes fans’ hopes for a standalone codex this edition, we’re encouraged by the decision – the more free rules in the game, the better.

There are a raft of small changes in the rules, with GW highlighting a few themed buffs for the different gods:

• “Bloodthirsters, Skarbrand and Bloodcrushers all get a 3+ Armour Save”
• “Daemonettes and Tranceweavers now have Fights First all the time”
• “Great Unclean Ones now increase the Toughness of nearby Nurgle units”

On the whole, it means that Chaos Daemons remain a fully supported standalone army – but not likely a mainstream choice. Your Plaguebearers, Nurglings, Bloodletters, Horrors, Flamers, and other gribbly nasties are more likely to see play as allies to their favorite Chaos Space Marines, using their rules in the Emperor’s Children codex and the similar sections we expect in the upcoming Death Guard, World Eaters, and Thousand Sons ‘dexes.

This arrangement, with daemons and mortal followers of a specific god in one army list, is similar to how chaos forces are organised in Warhammer Age of Sigmar armies – and Age of Sigmar does not have a standalone battletome for Chaos Daemons as a whole.

Emperor’s Children codex release date

A standalone version of the new Emperor’s Children codex goes on pre-order on Saturday April 12 2025, most likely releasing on April 19. A limited edition version is also available in the Emperor’s Children army set, which released on Saturday, March 15. Codex: Emperor’s Children is the newest 10th edition codex to be released, and 18th so far in this edition (if you count the Chaos Daemons index overhaul).

We’ve thoroughly tested the new codex and army set thanks to Games Workshop – read the full details in our Codex Emperor’s Children review.

As per other recent army launches, the codex releases alongside further model kits for the Emperor’s Children – most prominently the new Fulgrim model, the fourth traitor primarch to rejoin the game.

Warhammer 40k codex roadmap

The next Warhammer 40k codex army books to release will be Thousand Sons, Space Wolves, World Eaters, and Death Guard. GW revealed these four factions as the first codexes coming ‘now’ – for which read ‘by mid-2025’ – in its Adepticon 2025 preview stream on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. Watch the vod here:

It came alongside the big reveal of the new Space Wolves launch set – more on that below – and a full slate that leaves only a few factions (sorry, Drukhari players) waiting for news.

Coming ‘next’ in GW’s new, updated 2025 codex roadmap are:

• Black Templars
• Grey Knights
• Chaos Knights
• Imperial Knights

Given the stretch of calendar remaining before the presumed 11th edition drop in Summer 2026, we reckon ‘coming next’ can be understood to mean ‘by the end of 2025’ – but as ever, GW’s timetable may change on the fly, and we’ll keep this updated with the latest news.

GW also refreshed its little set of not-so-mysterious ‘on the horizon’ codexes (we expect them some time in early 2026) – with one spicy surprise for Space Marine fans! Currently on the ‘horizon’ slate in the image above, from left to right, are:

• Salamanders
• Leagues of Votann
• Imperial Fists

With two codex compliant Space Marine chapters – the Salamanders and Imperial Fists – now getting codex supplements in 10th edition for the first time since 8th, it’s not unreasonable to hope that more could be waiting in the wings. Ultramarines and White Scars codexes, anyone? A return for Jaghatai Khan? Thoughts and prayers.

Lastly in GW’s Adepticon 2025 stream, we saw a ‘mysterious’ shape that confirms the inevitable: Space Marines are getting a second codex release before 10th edition winds up next year.

The silhouette was quickly identified by fans as an existing artwork of a Reiver – so speculation is kicking off that we can expect updated models and rules for that much maligned unit, but we’ll be waiting a while before GW gives any more information there.

Here’s our run-down of the upcoming codexes we’re still expecting and their estimated release windows:

The surprise release of Codex Imperial Agents in 2024, which collected the rules for Inquisitors, Rogue Traders, Imperial Assassins, and the Deathwatch, seems to bode well for further new (or resurrected) factions to be added to the tabletop game – we’ll keep praying to the Emperor of Mankind…

Codex Space Wolves release date estimate

It’s official – 10th edition Codex Space Wolves is not only real, it’s coming ‘now’ (i.e. in the next couple of months), as part of the new Space Wolves army set revealed by GW in its Adepticon preview stream on Wednesday, March 26. You can hit that link for the full rundown, but here’s what we know so far.

We’re getting new models for:

• Wolf Priest
• Blood Claws
• Grey Hunters
• Fenrisian Wolves

And two brand new units:

• Wolf Guard Battle Leader – a Captain, but cooler.
• Headtakers – fearsome, souped up viking Bladeguard Veterans.

The Adepticon announcement also revealed that all Space Wolves in Mk X Tacticus Space Marine armor – so your Blood Claws and Grey Hunters – will get a seven inch move instead of six.

And Blood Claws, like their vanilla Assault Intercessor cousins, get to reroll ones to wound in melee, or reroll all wounds against targets holding an objective.

With fellow non codex compliant chapters the Black Templars and Dark Angels now fully integrated into 10th edition as standalone factions, speculation had been rife for months that the ferocious sons of Leman Russ would be next for that treatment. The fact that they’re likely to get theor codex a full year before Warhammer 40k 11th edition releases suggests we won’t be seeing the return of another Warhammer 40k Primarch – it’s not the Wolftime quite yet.

All free Grotmas detachment PDFs

In December 2024, Games Workshop released one new, free, one-off expansion PDF for each army as part of its ‘Grotmas Calendar’ promotion.

Each PDF adds a full Warhammer 40k detachment, complete with detachment rule, four Enhancements, and six Stratagems, to offer a new way to play each faction. These detachments are available to use in games alongside the ones provided in your faction’s codex (or Index, if you don’t have one yet).

You can download the detachment PDFs below:

• Death Guard – Flyblown Host
• Dark Angels – Lion’s Blade Task Force
• Tyranids – Warrior Bioform Onslaught
• Thousand Sons – Hexwarp Thrallband
• Adeptus Mechanicus – Haloscreed Battle Clade
• Necrons – Starshatter Arsenal
• Adeptus Custodes – Solar Spearhead
• Chaos Knights – Iconoclast Fiefdom
• Imperial Knights – Questor Forgepact
• Grey Knights – Warpbane Task Force
• World Eaters – Vessels of Wrath
• Black Templars – Wrathful Procession
• T’au Empire – Auxiliary Cadre
• Blood Angels – Angelic Inheritors
• Adepta Sororitas – Champions of Faith
• Space Wolves – Champions of Fenris
• Genestealer Cults – Final Day
• Leagues of Votann – Hearthband
• Chaos Daemons – Plague Legion
• Chaos Daemons – Scintillating Legion
• Chaos Daemons – Blood Legion
• Chaos Daemons – Legion of Excess
• Astra Militarum – Bridgehead Strike
• Orks – Taktikal Brigade
• Drukhari – Reaper’s Wager
• Aeldari – Armored Warhost
• Chaos Space Marines – Creations of Bile
• Space Marines – Librarius Conclave
• Imperial Agents – Veiled Blade Elimination Force
• Deathwatch – updated Index

How do I redeem Warhammer 40k codex codes?

You’ll find a unique Warhammer 40k codex code in the back of each printed Codex. You can register this code on your MyWarhammer account, which will in turn unlock all the datasheets and Detachments from the Codex in the Warhammer 40k app.

You can then use that data in the Battle Forge army builder. You will be limited to just one army list at a time in the app, unless you also have a Warhammer+ subscription.

What are Warhammer 40k codex books?

Codexes are the traditional home for the rules for each Warhammer 40k faction, though Warhammer 40k 10th edition launched with a full set of free ‘Index’ rules for each army.

As Codexes are released, they supercede the Index, updating rules and points, and adding new Warhammer 40k detachments that give you alternative ways to build your army that will reward you with new abilities, enhancements, and 40k Stratagems.

We also have a rundown of the best Warhammer 40k starter set for your needs, too. You’ll find lots more at our Warhammer 40k homepage.