We Are Now in the 10th Edition of Warhammer 40k
Warhammer 40k 10th edition, while having some key changes that improve the game in any number of ways, is still recognizably the same Warhammer: 40,000 we’ve all been playing for the last few years. The latest edition goes above and beyond, and both new and veteran players are going to have a blast! If you are a veteran player who has been content throughout 9th edition and are largely hoping for a few small changes in 10th, you'll be happy. On the other hand, if you simply detested 9th, there may not be enough in 10th to convince you to join the bandwagon because the game still has a strong 9th edition vibe, and the changes made, though significant, won't make it into a wholly new game (at least, not in terms of its core; the army and mission rules are a different matter and may alter your impression).
However, if you're like many players who liked the fundamental concepts of the pervious 8th and 9th editions but disliked how they were implemented, this edition is absolutely worth a try. The sheer number of regulations, ease of reference, consistency, and ingenuity of missions, among other popular complaints about the 9th, have all undergone major revision, almost universally for the better. Overall, the latest edition of Warhammer 40k provides a much more enjoyable experience for both new and veteran players.
Highlights of Warhammer 40k 10th Edition
There are a ton of new things, but here are some of the most important ones players should be aware of:
Construction for the army is simpler than ever. "Simplified, not Simple" is the main idea of the tenth, and this is most obvious in how army construction works. In prior editions' players used convoluted force org diagrams and CP generation plans which were highly confusing to new players. These are no longer present. You can now choose a character and begin to add units, with just a few limitations on how you can assemble your army. It not only makes army building much more straightforward, but also seems more "lore forward".
Characters Attach to Units. The autonomous characters of the eighth and ninth editions are no more; instead, characters now attach to units, albeit unlike the independent characters of the past, they remain tied to those units throughout the duration of the game. Auras are still present, but many characters only give their leading units bonuses.
Datasheets!! Unit Statlines are now different. The unit statlines in 10th edition are yet another overhaul, looking a lot like the Warhammer 40k skirmish game "Kill Team", with the transfer of the WS, BS, A, and S attributes to the weapon profiles. The target number for leadership rolls on a 2d6 was added, and units now have a feature called Objective Control that determines control of objectives, as the name implies. Additionally, more rules are now implemented on datasheets rather than at the faction level. At the latest US Open tournament most players had their unti datasheets arrayed at the table, making it much easier to reference stats and share rules with opponents (by simply handing a small card across the table). I absolutely love the datasheets!
No More Psychic and Morale Phases. The psychic phase was reinstated in the sixth and seventh editions, but it is now gone. Psychic talents just occur now, and they occur during the critical times. You won't have to wait around while your adversary toys with warp charges and Cabal points, and you won't have to be concerned about Deny the Witch preventing your abilities from working. The Battle-shock tests, the new "morale" mechanism, which has a distinct focus from previous iterations, are now administered to units during the Command phase in place of the Morale phase. This plays much more streamlined and feels intuitive.
The missions have undergone a major revamp. The missions are the single most significant structural change to the 10th edition. Since Tempest of War and GT tasks were combined in 9th, there is now a single set of missions that offers players a flexible, dynamic mission system that rewards adaptability and the capacity to respond to shifting priorities.
Objective Control replaces Objective Secured. A unit of seasoned killers may be prevented from flipping an objective because one Grot had survived their assault under the old Objective Secured rule. Similarly, a towering Knight Dominus was less useful for maintaining a point than its Armiger colleagues. Additionally, it promoted a competitive style of play where a single Objective Securing model would place the very edge of their base into the control zone of an objective, making certain that non Objective Securing units would be absolutely impossible to steal it away. Every datasheet now has a new "OC" metric in its place, allowing for far more nuanced objective play and opening up design options that weren't previously possible.
Conclusion
Overall, the majority of these changes are positive. The content in the rulebook is clear and easy to understand for readers thanks to the great layouts, numerous diagrams, and attractive visuals. To make things simpler to understand, the presentation has been given more thought. For instance, stratagems now have a standard form that very plainly explains their time, targets, and any limitations on their use.
Games Workshop designers have done a phenomenal job updating a legacy game to serve both new and veteran players. By creating a good onramp for new players, the 10th edition of Warhammer 40k is primed to attract a whole host of new fans that will likely come from Amazon's upcoming Warhammer 40k.
Get Started
Here are the new core box sets for Warhammer 40k 10th edition, in escalating size. Note, the small, introductory set is the only set that includes a set of paints. The larger sets provide more models and content, but you will need to purchase paints separately.
Warhammer 40k Introductory Set set contains 16 models, paints and is the quickest way to begin your journey fielding a small battle of Space Marines vs Tyranids
Warhammer 40k Starter Set contains 38 models, data cards allowing you to deploy two complete and balanced forces of Spaces Marines and Tyranids
Warhammer 40k Ultimate Starter Set contains 44 models and terrain, to provide an epic battle experience for two players pitting Space Marines vs Tyranids
Warhammer 40k Leviathan boxed set contains 72 models, and the special Leviathan mission deck, to guide two players through epic battles of Space Marines fighting back the Tyranids swarms
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