Digital Copies vs Physical Copies of Codecies

Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you:

No adverts like this in the forums anymore.
Times and dates in your local timezone.
Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance.
Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely.
Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net.

If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

**Dooley**

So a thought just came to my mind. With the release of Digital Codecies getting all the updates and what not do they SUPERCEED Hard copy versions? To me this almost doesnt seem very "FAIR" to us Non-apple slaves. For Example two identical Armies are playing, one player has the iPad version of his rules the other the hard copy, a rule is disputed and BOTH cite their copy of the Codex. Which one overides the other. Also if in a tournament or even friendly scenario, would one be able to ask to use someone elses iPad version of a rule book over their own? Something about this just doesnt taste right.

**rigeld2**

Dooley wrote:So a thought just came to my mind. With the release of Digital Codecies getting all the updates and what not do they SUPERCEED Hard copy versions? To me this almost doesnt seem very "FAIR" to us Non-apple slaves. For Example two identical Armies are playing, one player has the iPad version of his rules the other the hard copy, a rule is disputed and BOTH cite their copy of the Codex. Which one overides the other. Also if in a tournament or even friendly scenario, would one be able to ask to use someone elses iPad version of a rule book over their own? Something about this just doesnt taste right.

The only differences should be that the digital versions have the FAQs/Erratas built in.

If they start doing other things, then it's cause for concern.
Also, "Non-apple slaves" isn't amusing, it's insulting. Having an iPad does not make one an apple slave.

**pretre**

Neither 'overrides' since the updates to the digital are just the FAQ updates.

This same thing has happened before with different printings of physical codexes (C: Orks is a recent example).

Just print your FAQs and bring them with you and you are in the same place as the digital owner.

**Horst**

rigeld2 wrote:
Dooley wrote:So a thought just came to my mind. With the release of Digital Codecies getting all the updates and what not do they SUPERCEED Hard copy versions? To me this almost doesnt seem very "FAIR" to us Non-apple slaves. For Example two identical Armies are playing, one player has the iPad version of his rules the other the hard copy, a rule is disputed and BOTH cite their copy of the Codex. Which one overides the other. Also if in a tournament or even friendly scenario, would one be able to ask to use someone elses iPad version of a rule book over their own? Something about this just doesnt taste right.

The only differences should be that the digital versions have the FAQs/Erratas built in.

If they start doing other things, then it's cause for concern.
Also, "Non-apple slaves" isn't amusing, it's insulting. Having an iPad does not make one an apple slave.

Yes, it does to.

Pity not the apple slaves, Dooley, for they are already dead inside.

**pretre**

Well this thread is going places. Since we answered his initial question, I imagine locking before we get into silly apple vs non-apple bashing might be a great idea.

**xlEternitylx**

I believe that any changes that they make in the digital copy would also be referenced in the Erratas and FAQs on the GW website for us "non-apple slaves". Simply put, if they update one, the other will be erratad/updated to match the other.

Granted, if there is a dispute, I would see what the difference is and go from there. Changing something like a Lascannon from H1 to H7? Well I'm demanding to see the Errata for my hardcopy long long lonnnnnng before I believe your pdf.

Automatically Appended Next Post:
Wow ninja'd hardcore.

**Marius Xerxes**

Well if the iPad versions get updated to include (or replace) what FAQ items get posted online for those with the hard copies, then there is ultimately no difference.

Look at it this way. Someone with an updated Codex on an iPad is no different then someone who has the newest FAQ on hand.

In either case you very well may know something that changed that your opponent who hasn't read the new FAQ would not know.

EDIT: super ninja'd.

**rigeld2**

xlEternitylx wrote:Well I'm demanding to see the Errata for my hardcopy long long lonnnnnng before I believe your pdf.

Protip: It's not a pdf.

**AgeOfEgos**

That might not always be true. For example, nowhere in the Necron FAQ does it address what Lychguard weapons are--and some argue that they are axe like, others swords.

However, in the digital release if you click the sword it states "Str As User AP 3".

**Dooley**

Hence my consternation!!

**pretre**

AgeOfEgos wrote:That might not always be true. For example, nowhere in the Necron FAQ does it address what Lychguard weapons are--and some argue that they are axe like, others swords.

However, in the digital release if you click the sword it states "Str As User AP 3".

Which is the standard power sword profile. They are called 'Hyperphase Swords' afterall, right?

**Marius Xerxes**

AgeOfEgos wrote:That might not always be true. For example, nowhere in the Necron FAQ does it address what Lychguard weapons are--and some argue that they are axe like, others swords.

However, in the digital release if you click the sword it states "Str As User AP 3".

Kind of along these lines, I saw that not everyone's digital codex's were updating properly either. Some people had to delete it and then totally re download it to get the most current version.

Also imagine two people with a codex. The guy who got to whatever tournament early and got an update properly while taking advantage of the wifi in his hotel room. Then you have a guy who took a late flight to whatever city and tired, forgot to check if there were any changes before going to sleep because of an early game time the following day.

**pretre**

Imagine there's no wifi.
It's easy if you try...

No codex updates
Just players' cries...

**Dooley**

Our low tech hobby is slowly creeping into a MUST HAVE INTERNET ACCESS TO PLAY sorta thing :( THE END IS NIGH!!!!! I wonder if they can make an App that lets you point your camera/tablet camera at the table and move around digital representations of models........

**AgeOfEgos**

pretre wrote:
AgeOfEgos wrote:That might not always be true. For example, nowhere in the Necron FAQ does it address what Lychguard weapons are--and some argue that they are axe like, others swords.

However, in the digital release if you click the sword it states "Str As User AP 3".

Which is the standard power sword profile. They are called 'Hyperphase Swords' afterall, right?

Well, believe it or not--there is a strong RAW argument that since it lists it as a "Power weapon"--and it has no special rules, you then refer to the aesthetic of the weapon--which some argued looked more like an axe than sword. I'm not saying I was part of that group--but the argument will surely come up. And given GW's lack of clarity, I'm sure the more books they release the more issues will arise.

**rigeld2**

Marius Xerxes wrote:Some people had to delete it and then totally re download it to get the most current version.

http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/content/article.jsp?categoryId=&pIndex=2&aId=22200010a&multiPageMode=true&start=3
That's exactly how GW recommends to update it.

**captain-crud**

they also sell the necron codex updated hard back now if you check gw website so basically digital just gives you the newest print is all but if you dont whant to buy codex every reprint then digtal will be better

FYI orks codex had 4 reprints dont know of others

**pretre**

Since when did Codex: Necrons go hardback?

**nkelsch**

We are going to be in Powerweapon hell due to people's refusal to adopt common sense. The necron one has SWORD in the weapon name so I am not sure how someone can argue it isn't a sword. but hey, I already seen epic fights about how burnas are not 'special' power weapons just a powerweapon referenced by a rule and they think they can take burnaaxes and burnamauls.

I have a feeling the erratas are going to get cleaned up really soon with more and more fixes. Just consider the Digital updates a 'preview' of what we will probably see in the revised errata. If there was a disagreement between physical+errata and up-to-date Digital at this moment, I would probably lean digital.

**captain-crud**

miss type ment physicall copy dont know why i said hard back

**Dooley**

Once you go HARD BACK you can never go back!

**yakface**

There definitely are some undocumented differences between the FAQs and the digital versions (see below for what I could find in the SM digital codex).

Honestly though 99% of them seem to be simply spelling out the clear inference of the new rules...weapons that seem like they should be swords or mauls, etc, ARE exactly what they should be.

At the end of the day, the game shouldn't be about trying to find loopholes but rather playing with the most clear and concise rules possible. So if there's really a conflict between the digital version and the print version it's like we do just to interpretation of the player trying to gain advantage that really wasn't there in the first place.

yakface wrote:References to 'assaulting' throughout codex changed to 'charging'.

Pg 57 - Vortex of Doom: describes what happens when the Librarian embarked on a vehicle fails his psychic test (centered over the vehicle, hits against its rear armor).

Pg 64 - Chainfist: as rulebook summary (with note about Dreadnought version being a Dreadnought Close Combat Weapon that rolls 2D6 for armor penetration).

Pg 65 - Dreadnought Seismic Hammer: Sx2, AP1, melee, concussive, specialist weapon, unwieldy

Pg 69 - Drop Pod Internal Guidance System: includes text about a Drop Pod suffering a mishap if it scatters off the board.

Pg 71 - Techmarine Servo-arm: grants the model a single extra CC attack, made separately with the following profile: S8, AP1, melee, unwieldy.

SM Stormtalon: Aerial Assault rule removed. Supersonic rule as in rulebook.

Pg 85 - Sicarius' Talassarian Tempest Blade: S of user, AP3, melee, coup de grace. Coup de Grace: Sicarius may attempt a coup de grace attack in lieu of his normal close combat attacks. If it hits, it is resolved at S6, AP2 and has the Instant Death rule.

Pg 86 - Rod of Tigurius: S+2, AP4, melee, concussive, force, master-crafted.

Pg 87 - Cassius' Infernus Boltgun: 24" range, S1, AP5, rapid fire, master-crafted, poisoned (2+). Flamer portion of the weapon is as usual (one use only).

Pg 91 - Lysander's Fist of Dorn: S10, AP2, melee, concussive, master-crafted, specialist weapon, unwieldy. Also against vehicles with no Initiative value, whenever the Fist of Dorn inflicts any damage result, it also inflicts a crew shaken result.

Pg 92 - Shrike's Raven's Talons: S of user, AP3, melee, master-crafted, rending, shred, specialist weapon.

Pg 93 - Vulkan's Gauntlet of the Forge: has same profile as a heavy flamer.

Pg 94 - Khan's Moondrakkan: Space Marine bike that can turbo-boost up to 36".

Pg 94 - Khan's Moonfang: No profile listed for this weapon (beyond its special rule of inflicting instant death on a roll of 6 regardless of the target's toughness). Given that the errata changed all 'power swords' to 'power weapons' I guess given that this weapon has some special rules associated with it, makes it an 'unusual' power weapon and therefore is just a base strength, AP3, weapon, along with the special instant death rule.

Pgs 97-103 - Wargear: All entries match their rulebook summary profiles (missile launchers are *not* listed as having flakk missiles).

Pg 99 - Relic Blade: S+2, AP3, melee, two-handed.

**Maelstrom808**

We'll manage. The Necron 3rd edition codex had key changes between two seperate printings that they never mentioned in the FAQ/Errata and we survived. Apply common sense and/or the latest version of the rules you have available on hand between the players involved and move on.

**Xca|iber**

For those of us who like being up to date on the most current (and ideally most "clear") set of rules, could we get a stickied thread of "Unlisted Digital Codex Changes"? So that those of us not fortunate enough to spend hundreds of dollars on a specific version of a specific device can have the benefit of the updated rules.

Some of those things, especially the change to Moondrakkan and Vortex of Doom from a vehicle, seem like things that not all players would agree on without it being written in a codex or FAQ.

**yakface**

Xca|iber wrote:For those of us who like being up to date on the most current (and ideally most "clear") set of rules, could we get a stickied thread of "Unlisted Digital Codex Changes"? So that those of us not fortunate enough to spend hundreds of dollars on a specific version of a specific device can have the benefit of the updated rules.

Some of those things, especially the change to Moondrakkan and Vortex of Doom from a vehicle, seem like things that not all players would agree on without it being written in a codex or FAQ.

Yeah, I was kind of planning on doing that, although I haven't completely decided whether or not I'm going to be purchasing every one of these digital codexes simply because it is such an expense...but I may do just that (at least its a tax write off due to Dakka being my business) and if I do I will try to keep a sticky up for any clarifications like this that fall through the cracks...and I'll probably put it into the INAT FAQ as well.