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So my online friend just sent me a file labeled Imperial Armour. I open it up and what do I find but some imperial armor books! (who would have guessed?) anyways he said he downloaded them and because of the way my friend acts I am highly inclined to say he did so illegally. But thats not the point, the point is out of the list he sent me what is still usable and current and what is not. so here is the list:

Imperial Armour update 2006
Imperial Armour volume 4- the Anphelion Project
Imperial Armour volume 5- The Siege Of Vraks
Imperial Armour- Apocalypse_2008
Warhammer codex- Imperial Armor update
Warhammer 40k [codex] Imperial armor
Warhammer 40k [codex] Imperial armor II
Imperial Armour volume 3- The Taros Campaign

so what is still current. oh and another question I have heard it said that for instance in the taros campaign book there are different rules for the tau devilfish as opposed to the current GW given rules in codex:Tau empire. so is this just a different set of rules to play by (because I heard someone at my local gaming group mention playing by GW rules or Forgeworld Rules) or is it just outdated?

some one please explain!
cheers-
thatirishguy

The FW IA books were made to give rules for all the cool vehicles FW produced.

The IA updates were made to bring older units from the first book in line with newer rules and to give rules for vehicles that did not get rules yet. For example updates to IG tanks, but also introducing Eldar vehicles.

The IA books also introduced variant army lists. For example, the Krieg, Eleysian and Vraks lists. Most of the books have atleast one alternate list... IA:2 being the only one I can think of without an alternate.

The first IA book came out almost a decade ago so obviously some things have changed. With significant changes in 5th edition 40K, FW has set about reworking the oldest books and providing updates for free via their website. For example, I believe there is a new Krieg list more in line with the current IG codex.

While FW is a division of GW, the designers do not seem to work together. You'll find glaring differences between the same codex unit (GW) and IA (FW) unit. For example, FW produced the Valkyrie model first and gave it rules in IA:1. GW FINALLY put it into the IG codex, where it's a fast skimmer because there are no rules for flyers in 40K. There's probably a point difference as well.

In reference to Tau, FW did the seeker missile ship first, then it was put into the latest (still old) Tau book. FW also has models and rules for alternate Hammer Heads and the good ole Tetra speeder.

Opinions vary on the "legality" of using FW models. My personal opinion? Your dime and time, play with whatever you want against me. You'll get bored of it after a while if it's that overpowering, but everyone doesn't agree. Please note, there are instances of some FW vehicles being undercosted, but the vast majority are more points then they're actually worth.

Imperial Armour Apocalypse 2 or Imperial Armour 8 have the current list of where the most up-to-date rules are to be found.

Almost all of IA1 and IA2 has been updated (the updates are available to download - go to he book's page on the FW website).

IA3 is mostly okay, IA4 has mostly been replaced by the new nid codex.

IA5-6-7 The Kreig and Renegade IG lists have also been upated and are available to download.

I'm fine with any non-superheavy and non-flyer Forge World unit, myself. Most people seem to be. Tournaments almost inevitably aren't (though I HAVE seen at least one that allowed it... but it had other issues), it depends on the TO's occasionally skewed view of the hobby.