Models, Rules...Help a new player understand

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**ksignorini**

I'm new to 40K and learning the rules bit by bit, but I have a few questions about "how it's done." In particular:

1. Looking at my army lists in the codex (I play Orks) I see that my models/units can have upgrades. (Besides my codex, I'm also using Army Builder to help learn about my units and put armies together.) One particular upgrade is 'Eavy Armor. With my Ork models, I can't tell if they are showing 'Eavy Armor or not--probably because I don't know how much detail the models will show of the 'Eavy Armor. I have these sets: Black Reach box set, Ork Battleforce, Burnas & Lootas box, Stormboyz Box. I THINK that some of the Nobz from Black Reach are wearing it, but I'm not sure. All this said, except for needing the points for something else, why would I not just add this upgrade to my choices? And in general play, is that how it's done--just choose the upgrades, pay the points, and maybe the upgrade is or isn't shown on the models? Or, does the model matter? (Think general play in a GW store or with people who play often.)

2. Are there any Ork models that have Mega Armor? Which sets are these models in?

3. In general play, if a model DOES show an upgrade (say my Trukk does have a wrecking ball glued on) if I don't want the model to have it on paper, would it be good enough to just note that...or generally, do I need a Trukk model that does not have it glued on? (I'm not talking casual play with my buddies at my house, but maybe a local GW tourney or playing with some serious players with unlimited $$$ that have every model in duplicate.)

4. From what I've learned, we're on 5th Edition (red cover book) but some of the codexes are older (4th, 3rd, or even 2nd I was told). How much does it matter that some of the codexes are old? A buddy wants to start playing with me but the army he wants apparently has no 5th edition codex yet. Is that a problem?

5. How well do models work across editions? If I buy a bunch of 5th models now, can I play them at 6th, 7th, or ...?

6. Is there any way to tell which books are from which editions? I can't find anything in them that actually says "5th Edition," "4th Edition," or otherwise.

Thanks for helping the nube. It's most appreciated.

**penut the butter**

All I can answer is question 4.You cna still use a codex from an older edition only if that race doesn't have a codex for that editon.

**yani**

Hmm
1: I don't think any Ork models come wearing 'eavy armour. Use the biggest models wearing the most armour to represent the upgrade. Also paint the armour differently from normal Boyz to show they are different.

2: Gaz certainly has mega armour as do mega armoured Nobs. Can't help you further.

3: Hmm as long as you tell the opponant before hand and don't use it in game you should be ok

4: Use the most up to date version of a codex. If it has no 5th update then use the most recent edition. I mean I still use the DE 'dex and thats been around for ever. It doesn't matter if your codex has been around for # of editions as long as there hasn't been an update its fine to use.

5: Yes

6: No its just when they were released.

hope that helps
basically all new editions try to keep the old editions books working.

**Little lord Fauntleroy**

ksignorini wrote:I'm new to 40K and learning the rules bit by bit, but I have a few questions about "how it's done." In particular:

1. Looking at my army lists in the codex (I play Orks) I see that my models/units can have upgrades. (Besides my codex, I'm also using Army Builder to help learn about my units and put armies together.) One particular upgrade is 'Eavy Armor. With my Ork models, I can't tell if they are showing 'Eavy Armor or not--probably because I don't know how much detail the models will show of the 'Eavy Armor. I have these sets: Black Reach box set, Ork Battleforce, Burnas & Lootas box, Stormboyz Box. I THINK that some of the Nobz from Black Reach are wearing it, but I'm not sure. All this said, except for needing the points for something else, why would I not just add this upgrade to my choices? And in general play, is that how it's done--just choose the upgrades, pay the points, and maybe the upgrade is or isn't shown on the models? Or, does the model matter? (Think general play in a GW store or with people who play often.)

This depends. Some people like to play pure WYSIWG, so the models must have it properbly modelled on. However, some will be fine if you just pay the points for it.

2. Are there any Ork models that have Mega Armor? Which sets are these models in?

Ghazgkull Thraka is your warbos in mega armour-he comes in a box on his own. Meganobz are nobz in Mega armour-they are sold in the indiviual blister packs.

3. In general play, if a model DOES show an upgrade (say my Trukk does have a wrecking ball glued on) if I don't want the model to have it on paper, would it be good enough to just note that...or generally, do I need a Trukk model that does not have it glued on? (I'm not talking casual play with my buddies at my house, but maybe a local GW tourney or playing with some serious players with unlimited $$$ that have every model in duplicate.)

It shouldn't be a problem to take upgrades away, methinks.

4. From what I've learned, we're on 5th Edition (red cover book) but some of the codexes are older (4th, 3rd, or even 2nd I was told). How much does it matter that some of the codexes are old? A buddy wants to start playing with me but the army he wants apparently has no 5th edition codex yet. Is that a problem?

Again, older codexes shouldn't be a problem. However, some of the rules (E.g Stratagy rating) will be outdated and no longer apply.

5. How well do models work across editions? If I buy a bunch of 5th models now, can I play them at 6th, 7th, or ...?

Unless the model gets "Jervisified" (ask H.B.M.C...if you dare), then you should be able to use older models.

6. Is there any way to tell which books are from which editions? I can't find anything in them that actually says "5th Edition," "4th Edition," or otherwise.

If the book has the army list at the front, with it's unit descriptions and all the rules there, then it's usually 3rd or early 4th. It's hard to tell though (however, space Marines will get updated pretty much every edition)

Thanks for helping the nube. It's most appreciated.

No probs

**BlackSpike**

2) Mega-armour is available in metal models for Ghazzy, Mega-Nobz adn I think a Mega-Armour warboss.

3) I think there is a line in the rule book that you can "downgrade" by having upgrades modelled but not used, not payed for.
Another option is to use magnets to clip upgrades on and off vehicles.

5) Most models upgrade OK, with the occasional change in available options. Most work fine, just the detail of how things work changes slightly with each Edition.

**Da Boss**

To do 'eavy armour, you use the extra armour bitz on the sprues for the Ork boys. Just beef them up with some shoulderpads and helmets and you should be fine. Some of the glyph plates stuck on torsos and backs would work pretty good too.

Ghaz has mega armour, and you can buy mega armoured nobz in blisters. They're metal and expensive, but they look awesome.

I'd be fine with you putting upgrades on your trukk for appearances sake. Just tell me at the start and I'd have no issue with it. It will vary from person to person though. What some people do is magnetise upgrades- you can find articles about it on this site.
That means you can swap them on and off as you like.

You can use an older codex as long as there is no newer one, but the older codexes can be at a bit of a disadvantage. What codex does your friend want to play?

GW tends to try and keep models in play across editions, but their usefulness may change dramatically across editions.

**ksignorini**

My friend is interested in Tyranids or Necrons.

(btw: Thanks everyone for the comments so far. Excellent!)

**Da Boss**

Okay, well Necrons are quite old, and I'm not sure when they are getting redone. Tyranids are newer, and they're going to get redone in january, apparently. So if he wants to go with a newer army, nids would be a good one to pick. If he likes necrons a lot though, he could probably still pick them up- the basics will probably work fine whenever they do redo the book.

**J'santai Khan**

Wow! Let's see if we can work through your queries and get you headed in the right direction!

1. As a general rule, if you have paid the points for it, it should be modeled on if possible. This is known as WYSIWYG - What You See Is What You Get. This makes it easy for an opponent, as well as for yourself, to instantly see what they are getting themselves into, so to speak. If you have paid the points to upgrade your Ork Boss to have a power claw, you better have a power claw on the model. Tourneys are usually pretty big on this concept, as it cuts down on problems between gamers. If it is something like 'Eavy armor, you can represent this on a model by adding extra armor bits to the minis, or even by giving them their own paint scheme (although if you do this, be sure and tell your opponent "the blue ones have 'eavy armor", for example).

2. Yep! Check the GW website.

3. As long as you tell your opponent that it is only there for aesthetic purposes, you will probably be alright. Just to be sure, make it removable.

4. All of the legal codices are 4th edition or newer, and every army that GW makes has one. When in doubt, check the GW website.

5. I have been playing since '87 (RTT era). Most of the stuff has been supported/is still usable from edition to edition.

6.Once again, check the GW website. If you have a FLGS, you could ask them also.

Hope this helps!