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So, back last year when I started playing 40k for the first time, one of the guys in my group (also just starting), asked if he could use models from two different codices (Specifically BA and SM).
Since we were all new to the game, we said that it was probably not a good idea, as we imagined there might be balance issues. None of us ever tried to find out what the
rule was regarding this. So, just yesterday this came up again when a new member of our group, who just started playing asked the same thing.
This time we tried to find a rule to back up our generally held belief that a single codex is the answer.
>GASP< There is no rule!
Not only that, but the verbiage seems to indicate that not only is it NOT a rule, it's also considered ok to just do whatever the hell you like.'

Page 86
"Once they have agreed upon a points limit, the players will pick their forces. The best way to do this is to use the full army lists in the relevant Codex book for each army...

And under FOC rules it says
"... but players just starting out can use any models that they have in their collection."

So, my question is, do you think that the practice of using a single codex is more thematic, or more for game balance?
If someone cae to the table (Like my friend did a year ago) and said "I'd like to run these Storm Ravens with my Ultra Marines."
Would you let them? If no, then why not?
Theme? Balance? Hardheadedness?

Also, do you think this would fly at a Tourney? What happens when someone calls out the actual lines in the book that suggest using different armies in one list?

If you want to play with units from different codexes you have to play Apoc games.

For normal games you have to only use one book.

E.G. the Blood Angels book says: "The following list enables you to field a Blood Angels army and fight battles using the scenarios included in the WH40K rulebook."

If you are using a Blood angels army, you have to pick its forces from the BA book.

It's almost universally accepted that an army can only be made up of units from a single codex. The BGB heavily implies this, but, you're right, it doesn't outright say it anywhere.

In every tournament I've ever heard of (apart from Apoc or team tourneys), the rule is a single codex. However, you are certainly free to use multiple codexes in a friendly game if you want. After all, if you're playing against a newbie who doesn't have a large force from a single codex, your choices are: 1) Don't play at all 2) Play a game at very low point totals 3) Combine codexes and have a fun game; option 3 is probably going to be the most fun.

The codexes are also written with the assumption that you won't be mixing and matching, so many of the rules don't quite make sense if you are. So, be prepared to "bend" the rules extensively to make them work.

Oh, how I would love to be able to use the Monolith from the old Necron codex with all the nice units from the new one...

Have a nice opponent tht allows you to.

good luck with that one....

matphat wrote:
Page 86
"Once they have agreed upon a points limit, the players will pick their forces. The best way to do this is to use the full army lists in the relevant Codex book for each army...

And under FOC rules it says
"... but players just starting out can use any models that they have in their collection."

So, my question is, do you think that the practice of using a single codex is more thematic, or more for game balance?

You quote the first half of that sentence, which is plainly telling you the "best way" to make an army, and then you proceed to ignore it in favor of other options.

What two consenting adults do in the context of their gaming experience is entirely up to them. You might even find an adventurous spirit who's into homebrew codices to play with. Or a fluff gamer, even.

But out of simple tradition, and because the rulebook says that it's the best way to play, if you go to a tournament you can expect to have to use one codex and only one codex for your army list.

azazel the cat wrote:Oh, how I would love to be able to use the Monolith from the old Necron codex with all the nice units from the new one...

The issue with that is less about using 2 different codexes and more about being required to use the most current version of a codex. That being said I wouldn't mind field some units from the old Daemonhunters codex to use their Shrouding power.

I think you guys might be missing my point here.
I personally only play a single codex.
What I'm asking is, what do you suppose the reason is that;

a.) There is no specifically stated rule saying one codex per army.

and

b.) If you think single codex army standard is more about fluff or balance?

In a friendly do whatever you like. But just because the rule don't say you can't does not make it so. It is a permissive rule set. So, it has to specifically say you can do something in order for it to be legal.

As an exercise, try to find a rule in the rulebook requiring painted models to play. Then try to find a well established tournament that doesn't require painted models.

Things like this:

"The following list enables you to field a Blood Angels army and fight battles using the scenarios included in the WH40K rulebook."

Are what make you only choose from one codex.

The following list enables you to fight battles.

no permission is given to use any units not from the following list, when playing a blood angels army.