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I am new to 40k, and just bought my first army used from a guy, but I will modify it to make it my own. It came with a 4th edition codex, and I was curious as to weather or not I could play with it or I would need to get the current one. I will get the current codex, I just mean for in the meantime, if the people at the games workshop store would be ok with me using it. Thanks in advance! - Josh

If I were playing you I wouldn't mind if you used an old dex but with the caveat that you understand you are gimped by not having the most current, usually op rules. I can't speak for the people playing at your store though, you will have to have that conversation with your opponent.

There would be likely some rule issues that would need to be sorted out and you would be SERIOUSLY underpowered. Point costs have gone down during editions resulting in larger armies so 4th ed codex you would be paying more points for same guys.

In practice you will run trouble also finding player who wouldn't complain about you not using the "official" rules. Players are dead set against not following GW's latest dictate despite them being bad. And then players complain. Go figure.

Thanks! I think they will be pretty cool with it.

If it's an actual Games Workshop store, it'll be up to both your opponent and the store manager.

I don't really mind playing against older codices, as long as it's not being done to gain some advantage and the rules haven't changed so much that the rules are too broken.

I would say go for it, if your opponent is okay with it. Just know you will be at a disadvantage.

Also it would probably be best to avoid psyker units as they have changed quite a bit since 4th ed. I think it was between 5th and 6th so there probably won't be an faq anywhere on how to work it.

What army did you get anyway?

From what little I've read Games Workshop suggest you use the most recent codex in your collection.

Personally I wouldn't have a problem with people using old codexes against me, as long as they were fairly compatible with the edition of warhammer we were playing.]

I imagine it doesn't take much work to make any codex from 3-7th work on any edition 3-7th, but I would be surprised if doing so would be completely niggle free (especially as some codexes don't even make complete sense in the edition they are released under).

If I can use my old codex rules then fine.

nareik wrote:
From what little I've read Games Workshop suggest you use the most recent codex in your collection.

No surprise. Book sales and due to model price decreases you need more models with newer codex...

Try using an army builder tool or similar to see what you would expect with the recent codex. You'll be able to see the difference in points. Some went up, others dropped by a lot.
Certain old codex options were removed (reasons vary as to why), and some new options only exist in newer codexes (Grav, Centurions, Fliers, etc).

People expect the most recent codex to be used when they go to play a game at a store or tournament or whatever. In a friendly game with someone you know you can use whatever you damn well please so long as it's cool with them. I remember the 4th ed codices fairly well so I'd be okay with it, but I can imagine a lot of folks, especially people who started in 6th or 7th, to not be.

If the group you will be playing at has a group chat or anything you could ask if anyone wants to play a game of fourth/ fifth edition with you a day or two before you head down there. There will probably be someone there with that rulebook and an old codex who wouldn't mind. (I say fifth because the fourth ed eldar codex you have was around for most of fifth ed.)

With the explanation the Original Poster said, I couldn't see why anyone would refuse.

I would love to play 5th edition greyknights again.

The draft FAQ suggest that it is ok to play with oop rules ; )

Most opponents on the other hand will not be that fond of old codexes especially if it has some weird rules in there that "made them lose the game".

my over all thoughts?

Long term, you want the latest codex, but for your first game or so when you're JUST learning if cash is tight if you show up and say "hey I don't have the latest codex yet, I just got some used stuff and wanna try out a game or two first" people'll be happy to play with you.