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I need help settling a debate. I have two versions of the old necron codex. They are almost the same with a few slight changes, most notably the changes to the monolith page. I remember seeing something about GW doing a shadow re-release of the codex, but I can't find any resources to back this up online.

The main question is, am I remembering this right. I actually have both physical copies here, and I'm pretty sure that's what happened. Am I misunderstanding what happened?

We were just discussing some of the oversights in the new DA codex, and I (half sarcastically) said they should just do a shadow reprint with grammar fixes and a few adjustments. My friend said there was no way GW would ever do that, and I tried to use the necron codex as a joking precedent, and that's how the debate came up.

Yes, that's what happened.

They did a first run, then ended up FAQing large portions of it. Especially with regards to living metal.

Later they did a reprint that included the FAQ changes, and sometime after that helpfully removed some of the things they'd fixed in the reprint from the FAQ.

Made for some fun times. I think if you have a look at the copyright information on the book there'll be something to distinguish them.

I know that the 3rd ed Dark Eldar and Dark Angels codices had updates with a big ol' watermark on the front that said something like "Second Edition" on them. I'm guessing you'd have noticed that though!

The Necron reprint was very definitely a stealth update. You'd only notice if you were in the habit of reading copyright information or noticed that it contained reworded rules. I suspect they caught flak for making a "mandatory" update to a codex so soon after release, so decided to try something a bit more subtle. Which also failed horribly as it fractured the Necron player base on the sly, leaving little guidance or indication as who had the right rules.

So no, while they have done a stealth update they absolutely should not do it again. Either stick a big watermark on it (and be accused of making all the mistakes intentionally to get more money) or leave it to FAQs (and merely be accused of incompetence, which they're already accused of.)

Thanks. I was pretty sure that's what happened.

I don't really expect GW to do a shadow/rerelease of the DA codex, it was mostly a joke.

In some situations I guess it would be nice.

In the perfect world, they would realize their mistakes, and allow you to return your original copy for the new one, or at least give you a big discount because it was their blunder.
Mostly the quick release of the DA FAQ kinda threw a big "we knew full well we messed this up" flag for me. If they knew it was so bad, they should/could have done something along those lines. Rather than just have tonnes of FAQs and players struggling through poor grammar. Rather than quietly changing it and selling it as the same thing, just come right out and say "hey, we messed up, this is how we are going to fix it".

On one hand it might sound a little far fetched to expect them to do that, because it would cost them money. It would be a nice PR boost. And not outside of the realm of possibility, such as the huge online rebate ($30 off the $40 I think) they gave people for the online order mess up with death from the skies. That wasn't even a "we gave you a bad product" so much as "it's gonna be late, my bad".

In short, I don't have major issues with the DA codex. I've been waiting a while for it to come out. I'm pumped to get some games in with it. Just wish they had proof read it a little more.

Yeah, it's been the result of more than one YMDC argument where each side had a different printing and swore till they were blue in the face that the other side was quoting the rule wrong.