New codex

So I finally got my hands on the new codex and there is still a lot I have to work out from it, but overall I am impressed. Apocalypse battles are my favorite part of 40K and the new book alongside the new rulebook make every game of 40k much more like Apocalypse. The book is high quality and hefty as you would expect from the newer codexes and there is a lot of material in it, but the majority will be familiar to most Space Marine players.

Doctrines have been opened up to all of the Space Marine Chapters, but with a little bit of wangling I have found that the Ultramarines can use the doctrines more far more times than their less disciplined cousins, with the tactical doctrine available up to 3 times a game! As an Ultramarine you get it once, as part of the Gladius formation you get it again and as part of a Demi-company you get it again! So just for being fluffy and thematic with your Ultramarines force and taking a balance force (as the codex decrees brother) you get a significant bonus.

I also couldn't resist picking up the card set to accompany the codex. The cards are very high quality and feel very nice. They also help me keep track of what I have and have not used and substitute in the additional Space Marine objectives to the main list.

I have started to get a couple of games under my belt with the new objective system and it is very easy to gain or lose points. How the cards fall can make or break you very quickly, with kill a psyker, manifest a psychic  power and take down  a monstrous creature all liable to appear in games without psykers or monstrous creatures.

It is a new style of play and one I think I like in friendly games. I am yet to sign up to a tournament in this edition and will be interested to see how they work.

Chapter level engagement

Behold! The largest display board GW have ever done! If you wondered what happened to the complete Chapter which was on display a couple of Games Day’s ago now you know. The Blood Oath board is the largest display board that GW have ever built, with the complete Ultramarines Chapter, multiple Titans, Daemons and Grey Knights. The whole thing is so large that a set of stairs goes around it. The room has also been set up with atmospheric lighting and sound that complement the display and highlight different parts.

One of the most impressive sections was a Warhound Titan being hit by a drop pod, although there are hundreds of unique details and scenes, with dynamic action like land speeders racing through canyons and jump troops leaping up the side of buildings. The entrance fee to the exhibition was worth it for this display alone.

To go with the display is a Warhammer world exclusive Blood Oath book, containing some background fiction and formations, including an updated 1st company formation which takes huge advantage of the tactical doctrines and a new formation for the 2nd company, the Spear of Sicarius, which you may recall as a boxed unit not so long ago. It is a nice book and has some great high quality photos of the display that put mine to shame. Of course the best way to see the board is in person, so get yourself down to Warhammer world and pick up a new Ultramarine T-Shirt while you are there!