All Warhammer 40k Codex release dates in 2025
Which Warhammer 40k codex releases are coming in 2025? 20 armies have now received their 10th edition codex (or at least an index update) – with two more just about to drop. But there are eight 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
Of the at least 24 10th edition codexes we expect to arrive over the (roughly) three years of the edition, 20 factions now have either a codex or an updated index, with three more books due in mid 2025. This includes a re-release of Index Deathwatch – which was briefly 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:
| Codex | Release date |
| Tyranids | September 9, 2023 |
| Space Marines | October 7, 2023 |
| Necrons | December 9, 2023 |
| Adeptus Mechanicus | December 9, 2023 |
| Dark Angels | March 9, 2024 |
| Orks | April 20, 2024 |
| Adeptus Custodes | April 20, 2024 |
| T’au Empire | April 27, 2024 |
| Chaos Space Marines | May 25, 2024 |
| Sisters of Battle (Adepta Sororitas) | June 22, 2024 |
| Genestealer Cults | June 22, 2024 |
| Imperial Agents | August 24, 2024 |
| Blood Angels | October 19, 2024 |
| Index Deathwatch | December 07, 2024 |
| Astra Militarum | January 25, 2025 |
| Aeldari | February 8, 2025 |
| Chaos Daemons (Rules Update) | March 12, 2025 |
| Emperor’s Children | March 15, 2025 |
| Thousand Sons | May 31, 2025 |
| Space Wolves (bundled with army set) | June 7, 2025 |
If you’re wondering when a particular codex released during 9th edition 40k, check out our guide to 9th edition codexes.
Warhammer 40k Codex roadmap
The next Warhammer 40k Codex to release will be the Chaos Knights on June 21, 2025. Pre-orders are already open.
The other items listed in Games Workshop’s 2025 codex roadmap are:
- Imperial Knights
- Black Templars
- Grey 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.
We’ve put the Imperial Knights top of the remainders, not because we know they’re coming before the other three, but because they’re the first for which Games Workshop has revealed both the book cover AND a brand new model: the Imperial Knight Defender, revealed on Monday, May 5.
After that, our money’s on Black Templars arriving before the Grey Knights – purely because, as of Monday, June 16, Games Workshop has shown off the cover art and a few details from Codex Supplement: Black Templars. There’s no confirmed release window or even release order – but we do know the book will have three new detachments, same as the Dark Angels got. It’s also coming out alongside a new character mini, the Crusade Ancient.
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 release date, or estimated release window:
| Army | Release window |
| Chaos Knights | June 21, 2025 |
| Space Wolves (standalone) | Mid 2025 |
| Imperial Knights | Late 2025 |
| Black Templars | Late 2025 |
| Grey Knights | Late 2025 |
| Salamanders | Unknown |
| Leagues of Votann | Unknown |
| Imperial Fists | Unknown |
| Drukhari | Unknown |
| Codex Space Marines 2 | Unknown |
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
The 10th edition Codex Space Wolves is already available in the limited edition Army set. Games Workshop has not revealed when the standalone Codex will be available, but these typically follow army sets by one to two months – either July or August.
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 their codex a full year before Warhammer 40k 11th edition releases suggests that, if we do get another loyalist Warhammer 40k Primarch, it won’t be Russ – we haven’t reached the Wolftime just yet.
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.
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.
You can download the detachment PDFs below:
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.
