Warhammer 40K: The Five Most Forgotten Codexes of 9th Edition

Let’s take a look at the Codexes that we all forgot about – and why.

Codex: Tyranids is here. Most people agree it’s going to shake up the meta and be one of those books that’s on top for a bit. Unless Crusher Stampede gets a nerf this could well end up being one of those #problem books. In 9th I think we’ve gotten kind of used to this release cycle. It seems often when a new book comes out it gets to be a very powerful, even dominant force for a time, normally until a nerf comes down. We saw it with Drukhari, Admech, Orks, Aledari and now likely Nids, just to name some.

But it’s not always the case. Some books never get their time in the limelight. They come out, are a dud and are quickly forgotten. So today I want to talk about the five most forgotten books of 9th Edition. Obviously, if you play the army you likely haven’t forgotten the book… but the meta sure has.

5. Sisters of Battle

Sisters have had a rocky road. They were the big end cap book to 8th, and went through a lot of different types of rules in a relatively short period of time. In 9th they came off their big release and added more models and units. It should have been a big deal and peoplewere super hyped. A few grumbled about having to get a new book 18 months after the last one but they were a minority. After their book came out however, the army just kind of fizzled. They aren’t a strong army and don’t get a lot of flashy wins. When you talk 9th Meta you don’t really mention them much. They get some points for still being a unique army. But for an army with a ton of modern and all-new models they get forgotten a lot.

4. Thousand Sons

Thousand Sons came out alongside Grey Knights. They were paired up as the two psychic armies and set to bring new life to the phase. Grey Knights were a really strong book. Thousand Sons… not so much. The fallen Sons of Prospero were overshadowed from day one by the Knights of Titan. It turns out that when you release two similar things next to each other the one that is better is going to get the love and attention. The worse one gets sadly forgotten.

 3. Blood Angels 

Space Marines in general have had a pretty underwhelming 9th Edition. They’ve not really been that strong. On the other hand, you can’t really call them forgotten as they’re the focus of so much of 40K. On the other hand, the new supplements tended to have less oompf than the main book. The worst one here is the Blood Angels. For a part of 8th they were the dominant Marine force in the game. Now not so much. Black Templar at least had a lot of hype, Deathwatch had new and different things. Wolves have their own cool models. Dark Angels are the “good” ones. Blood Angels, no longer a strong meta army, just kind of get forgotten and sink into the marine middle.

2. GSC

GSC aren’t a bad army. The Cult has its strong points, and the book has some interesting and innovative rules. The problem is it came out squashed between some extremely powerful books. In a meta that was already being dominated by Drukhari it came out weeks apart from Custodies and Tau, two far more powerful books. It’s at the point where I’ve had people ask me when the GSC book is coming out – because they completed missed it.

Honorable Mention: Necrons

If there was an award for army that was the most disappointing in proportion to the hype it got, it’s Necrons. Out of all the 9th books they might be the worst off, and by far the saddest story. The thing is, we all know they suck. We all know it’s an issue. So its hard to say they’ve been forgotten. It’s doubly painful considering their almost complete, and amazing miniature range overhaul. The toasters better be AMAZING in 10th!

1. Death Guard

Death Guard don’t have a bad codex. They were a strong contender in parts of 8th as a new army on the block. Their 9th book has some power. But paradoxically it’s this that leads to them being forgotten. They aren’t bad, so we don’t complain about them really. They are a fine army. On the other hand they aren’t good enough to win a lot of events and get mentioned a ton. They just kind of exist – in the meta’s mushy middle (say that three times fast). It’s an army that when it does show up in a top 4 I’m forced to say “oh yeah, Death Guard, they are a thing”. Turns out being just ok is a great way to get forgotten.

Let us know what armies you think have been the most forgotten, 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.