40K: After Codexes, GW Needs to Kickstart 8th Narratives

With the Codex cycle warping up a lot of people are hoping for some campaign focused books to start coming out, lets talk about what those should be and the breadcrumbs the codexes have laid.

It’s no secret we are nearing the end of the current Codex cycle. We know both Space Wolves and Orks are coming out soonish. Once those are out that will really only leave Genestealer Cult (hinted at coming not long after) and Sisters of Battle (confirmed for 2019). Once those books are out, all the codecis will have been remade for 8th. Of course this still leaves some minor factions homeless, such as the Sisters of Silence, Inquisition and Ynnari. While we can be fairly certain they will all get reworks at some point its not clear if they will get the full Codex treatment. All this has left 40K it a bit of limbo. I talked the other week about how it felt kind of like the end of an edition to me right now.

Of course just because they are slowing down on, or wrapping up, putting out new codices doesn’t mean the edition is over, there is till plenty of new ground to tread here. Once thing many people are hoping for is for new campaign type (maybe narrative event is a better name) books, in the vein of 7th Editions hits, Gathering Storm and Warzone: Fenris. Gathering Storm looks like a very likely model for them to emulate in fact. It allowed GW to progressive the plot of fluff significantly, it also allowed for them to add in new models, and new army options, without having to write whole new army lists. If GW wants to use this model to advance the plot and put out new books, what should hit focus on? Well, here are a few ideas:

Abaddon’s Drive On Terra

At the end of the first Gathering Storm book, Abaddon had won his greatest victory, destroying Cadia and opening the great rift. Afterwards he gathered his forces and pushed on towards Terra. Now, some 200 years later… he’s still going? Just slowly advancing towards Terra? It’s really kind of unclear what he’s been up to all this time, Guilliman and most of the top Imperial leaders are leading the Indominus Crusade, hopping around the far reaches of the galaxy. Abaddon has been in a bit of limbo.

Yet his drive on Terra seems the most likely way to expand the story. It’s clearly the most crucial part of the war, and directly continues on the main thread of Gathering Storm. It also mirrors Horus’s  drive on Terra in the Heresy. So following along in Abaddon’s footsteps seems like the most likely think we would see. It also makes a lot of sense from a models stand point. Abaddon, and most of the Choas leadership, desperately need new models. This would be the chance to update them. In addition we’ve been hearing a lot of rumors about a possible Emperor’s Children Codex, ting this, and maybe some new Sisters of Silence stuff, into the campaign would make a lot of sense.

Warzone: Armageddon

If you wanted to do a smaller and more focused expansion, what better place to focus then the war torn world of Armageddon? Currently a massive three way war between Imperials, Orks and Khornate forces is raging on the world. This is ripe from some expansion and detail. With the new Ork book about to come out, what better time to focus on an Orky warzone? In addition it could allow for some updates to the Astra Militrium, such as the introduction of some new characters (the faction has lost a LOT of named characters) or even new infantry models.

War of The Fallen

One of the big reveals in the new Dark Angel Codex was that Luther had escaped from the rock and has been gathering a HUGE, Legion sized, force of the Fallen. In addition its strongly hinted that The Lion is fully healed and ready to wake up at any point. Add in the fact that Cypher’s cryptic actions during the Gathering Storm, and you’ve got the set up to a good story. It would be interesting to focus on the return of the Fallen and the Lion. Whose side are the Fallen really on? Whose side is the Lion on, would he bow to Robbi G’s power? What is Cypher up too? There is a lot that could happen here. Add in another returned Primarch, a Luther model and rules, rules for a Fallen army, and you’ve got a nice expansion there.

Plenty of Options to Chose From

Those are just a few of major options GW could chose from to focus a campaign around, and thats not even mentioning historical events. They’ve done Badab, why the Sabbat Worlds? Or any of the other major events? Or a xenos focused one? What happening with the Ynnari? There is a huge rich tapestry of events to chose from and ways to progress the story, lets see what they do.

Let Us Know What Campaign You Would Like To See, Down In The Comments! 

Author: Abe Apfel

Abe is that rare thing, an Austin local born and raised here. Though he keeps on moving around, DC, Japan, ETC., he always seems to find his way back eventually. Abe has decades of experience with a wide range of tabletop and RPG games, from historicals, to Star Wars to D&D and 40K. He has been contributing to BOLS since almost the start, back when he worked at and then owned a local gaming store. He used to be big into the competitive Warhammer tournament scene but age has mellowed him and he now appreciates a good casual match. He currently covers 40K tactics and lore, as well as all things Star Wars, with occasional dabbling in other topics. Abe remains in mourning over the loss of WFB to this day.