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I decided to invest in 40k when the Dark Vengeance set came out, and went with DA because my friends told me that DA is a unique and challenging codex to play (even if they are SM), and the new codex is due to come out pretty soon. But now that I've thrown about $400++ into buying the proper Ravenwing + Deathwing models, and getting all those bits so that I can properly represent the special weapons in my bike/terminator squads I cannot help but feel cheated. The current DA codex is really weak and makes me deploy lists that are over-costed and underpowered at the same time. I was ready to wait for a couple months while I collect the appropriate models but now it seems that GW wants to prioritize LOTR/the Hobbit over 40k for the entire Christmas period.

What should I do? Would it be understandable/acceptable for me if I ended up using the vanilla SM codex even if my models have obvious DA markings at tournaments? I know that DA has a devoted fanbase and I want to join it too, but it's depressing to enter the hobby at this stage and find out that I'm getting shafted.

You're talking to the angry person that has had his Tau army boxed up nicely since about 2 months after 5th edition rulebook came out.

We've been hearing new shiny codex rumors for about 2 years or so, and they just got pushed back also behind DA.

Keep playing them? Some of us have waited a lot longer than that and still fight the good fight.

 NEWater wrote:
I decided to invest in 40k when the Dark Vengeance set came out, and went with DA because my friends told me that DA is a unique and challenging codex to play (even if they are SM), and the new codex is due to come out pretty soon. But now that I've thrown about $400++ into buying the proper Ravenwing + Deathwing models, and getting all those bits so that I can properly represent the special weapons in my bike/terminator squads I cannot help but feel cheated. The current DA codex is really weak and makes me deploy lists that are over-costed and underpowered at the same time. I was ready to wait for a couple months while I collect the appropriate models but now it seems that GW wants to prioritize LOTR/the Hobbit over 40k for the entire Christmas period.

I know, how shamefull and stupid of GW to ignore DA's in favor of releasing a brand new model line (and likely rules set), to co-incide with the theatrical release of the same movie! How dare they do something that makes sense!

 NEWater wrote:
What should I do? Would it be understandable/acceptable for me if I ended up using the vanilla SM codex even if my models have obvious DA markings at tournaments? I know that DA has a devoted fanbase and I want to join it too, but it's depressing to enter the hobby at this stage and find out that I'm getting shafted.

You can use whatever codex you want, so long as everything is wysiwyg.


Okay, yes, DA's have an ancient and crappy codex. But seriously? You just got a bunch of shiny new models in DV, multi-wing armies are still hugely viable, (and downright amazing in 6th). And so what if you have to wait another 2-4 months for the codex and new units?

Those poor LotR guys waited only 2 whole years for a new release with the plastic Easterling Kataphracts + Finecast newbies + warband books, and then they've had another 10 month wait since! I think they deserve a little GW love.
Hell, Fantasy players only had to wait 8 entire months to get their very first 8th edition army book!

40k players overall are spoiled rotten when it comes to the lion's share of releases. Be happy your not the likes of Bretonnian or Wood Elves for example who've been waiting since 2004/06 for a single new model! (let alone any actual rules!)


So yes, you'll have to wait. But think of it as upto 4 months to get everything painted and ready to go...

Unfourtunately, there was never an official statement saying that Dark Angels were getting an update right after CSM, so all the people saying that it was happening were operating purely based on the current rumours at the time, as accurate as they may have seemed to be. That is, unfortunately, the nature of rumours.

That being said, I would ask your local T.O about using dark angels models as a counts-as marine army for tournaments. Personally I would be fine with it, provided everything in your list is legal, and it wasn't too confusing. I'm not too familiar with DA, so I'm not sure on how different they are, other than the whole ravening/deathwing deal.

The other option is to just continue using them as DA until you finally do get a new codex. Playing with a challenging codex has its own rewards, as winning games often feels like more of an accomplishment against some of the more powerful armies out there. It also has the benefit of foxing you to become a better player. When you can't afford to make mistakes with your army, you tend to be more careful with your deployment, movement, target priority, etc., which leads to better overall strategy and tactics. Then, when Dark Angels finally do get an update, you'll have the benefit of a newer stronger codex, along with well refined tactics.

I don't think I've ever had a problem with people using marins for counts as, no one batted an eyelid at my blood ravens using the blood angels codex for a time. (I wanted to do the storam raven dreadnaught strike of doom! ...Killed 4 Eldrad Ulthuans in the same tournament with the same dread that way).

I honestly think not many people will hold it against you if you use Space Trannies mini's and use Codex:Ultramarines,Space Woofs or Blood Angels . Paint them up and wait for the codex to drop sometime next year . As a bonus you can neatly avoid the accusations of "Bandwagoning" . Win - win !

 NEWater wrote:
I know that DA has a devoted fanbase and I want to join it too, but it's depressing to enter the hobby at this stage and find out that I'm getting shafted.

Then good news ! With those highlighted words etched into your memory , your preparation for a long affair with Dark Angels will be off to a great start .

 Evil_Toast wrote:

Then good news ! With those highlighted words etched into your memory , your preparation for a long affair with Dark Angels will be off to a great start .

I lol'd IRL.

Didn't Dark Angels just get a bucket of awesome new models with Dark Vengeance a month ago?

The first army to have a sizable selection of HQ in plastic?

Custom Terminators?

Custom Bikes?



GW clearly hates Dark Angels.

Sure, you can play them as vanilla, or

d3m01iti0n wrote:Keep playing them? Some of us have waited a lot longer than that and still fight the good fight.

This. If you're a DA player, then be a DA player, thick or thin.

 NEWater wrote:
but it's depressing to enter the hobby at this stage and find out that I'm getting shafted.

Blame your friends, not GW. They're the ones that 'shafted' you.

GW have not said anything official about any releases. It's not what they do. There's been unconfirmed rumours from people who might or might not know something. Those are what your friends repeated to you. This is the danger of planning around rumours, and is actually one of the reasons GW have tried to clamp down on the rumour mill.

That said, they have a codex right now, it works, and you yourself said you got into them because while there was a new codex on the horizon, they were a challenging Space Marine army to play. Just keep playing that challenging army a few more months.

And as said above, be thankful you didn't buy into an army that is actually on the rocks - Wood Elves, Brettonians, etc.

PolecatEZ wrote:
You're talking to the angry person that has had his Tau army boxed up nicely since about 2 months after 5th edition rulebook came out.

We've been hearing new shiny codex rumors for about 2 years or so, and they just got pushed back also behind DA.

True, the OP should try the Tau codex, at least basic marines have way better stats than Tau haha

Normal marine dex works well for DA, especially for Ravenwing. I cannot imagine anyone giving you trouble for using it till the new dex arrives. Just make sure you inform you opponent beforehand which codex you're using.