Overview: Index: Xenos I & II
Warhammer 40,000 8th coming for your tabletop – come take a look inside indexes Xenos I & II!
Not a fan of the Emperor but also not looking to workshop the Chaos Gods? Well it sounds like the Xenos Indexes might be right up your alley!
The Xenos Indexes contain everything you need for your alien armies. If you play Eldar (any flavor) or the Necrons, you’ll want to grab a copy of Index: Xenos I – a book I’ve taken to calling “Index: The War in Heaven.” While those particular factions don’t have anything that crosses over, the implication is that these are the two eldest races and have been fighting for a long time. While the book doesn’t go into the lore (all of that is in the BRB) if you’ve been around for as many editions as I have you’ll appreciate the reference.
Index: Xenos II really is everything else in the game that wasn’t covered in the previous books. So if you’re a Tau (or not T’au), Ork, Tyranid or Genestealer Cult player then this book is for you. I’ve been enjoying my time with the book as I’ve been feverishly whipping up Tyranid lists. I could go on about all the changes in that army alone for hours – but I’ll spare you that (for now). Just know that what you thought was garbage might not be so bad and your “auto-include” options aren’t as optimal as they once were.
That is really the theme of these Indexes: “What was old is new, what was new isn’t OP, and everything has a place.” How long will that trend last? I think the wargaming community will have a field day trying out all the different options now. I firmly believe there is no longer a “best” option. 8th Edition really is a breath of fresh air mixing up the staleness that became 7th. It feels like a new game and these indexes are setup in a way to allow players, new and old, to dive right in and start playing again. If that was the design goal then GW nailed it.
If you’ve been camping on a “low tier” army for a long time, now is your chance to pull those models out and dust them off. In the games I’ve gotten in everything has been surprising – in the best possible way. This is the time to try every unit out and find out what works for you. For me personally, it’s been a big inspiration to paint-up models (ones that I typically would have passed over completely) and get them on the tabletop. My week has basically been pull out my old army, play a game, go home and work on a different unit (to prime/paint/base etc.) and then bring it in to try out. I have no higher praise for a game than to say it keeps me interested and wanting to play it more.
Now, I’m sure all the new-shine will wear off eventually. Once the game launches and players from all over share their experiences and thoughts certain things will likely bubble up; the cream rises to the top. But for now, everything is still all mixed in there and new discoveries are waiting to be made. It’s an exciting time to be playing – especially if you’ve felt like you’re army got the short (or pointy) end of the stick last edition.
I think it’s pretty obvious: I’m excited. My hope is that you are too. This new edition of 40k is more accessable and “open” than ever before – it’s also the most play-tested version I’ve ever seen. This game has a lot of polish on it, and that care is apparent. The books are going to be available June 17th – so when that time comes go see for yourself. Don’t take anyone else’s word for it. I challenge you to at least try it! Especially you Ork and Nid players…
Index: Xenos 1 $25
One of five books covering the range of Citadel miniatures used to play games of Warhammer 40,000, Index: Xenos 1 is an essential purchase for those wanting to play games of Warhammer 40,000, packed with updated rules and complete points values for Aeldari – Craftworld Eldar, Dark Eldar and Harlequins – or Necron armies*.
It contains 124 datasheets covering the range of Aeldari and Necron miniatures, with overviews of each army. Updated abilities, psychic powers, wargear, weapon profiles and points values allow you to field your collection in games of Warhammer 40,000. There’s also a blank army roster and detachment roster, which you are free to photocopy and use when building a Battle-Forged army in Matched Play games.
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Index: Xenos 2 $25
One of five books covering the range of Citadel miniatures used to play games of Warhammer 40,000, Index: Xenos 2 is an essential purchase for those wanting to play games of Warhammer 40,000, packed with updated rules and complete points values for Ork, T’au Empire, Tyranid and Genestealer Cults armies*.
It includes 137 datasheets covering the Ork, T’au Empire, Tyranid and Genestealer Cults range of miniatures, with overviews of each army. Updated abilities, psychic powers, weapon profiles and points values allow you to field your collection in games of Warhammer 40,000. There’s also a blank army roster and detachment roster, which you are free to photocopy and use when building a Battle-forged army in Matched Play games.
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To my Ork and ‘Nid friends – we’re BACK!
