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Buy digital

This is an odd position. I really like the idea of releasing new units with rules in the box, as I can buy, say, a TF Cannon for my DA army and not necessarily need the regular SM codex to use it. That being said, I love having a codex for my army, it has all my units, cool fluff, pictures, and is just fun to hold in all honesty. I'd also be worried about them going this way fully and not really being able to look at what new units to buy because they only come in the box. You could go online and look up the rules for that unit before purchasing, but that kind of seems like a pain.

It could be nice to have printable digital rules.

So you could just use another online printing service (maybe even buy it through GW) when you want that fine looking codex, up to date, any time of the year.

What if the data slates were a free download, or you could buy the slates from GW for .99 if you wanted a copy from them?

 Great White wrote:
What if the data slates were a free download, or you could buy the slates from GW for .99 if you wanted a copy from them?

That would be an actual good idea. Don't expect GW to do anything

 jreilly89 wrote:

 Great White wrote:
What if the data slates were a free download, or you could buy the slates from GW for .99 if you wanted a copy from them?

That would be an actual good idea. Don't expect GW to do anything

Say what?
http://www.blacklibrary.com/Home/free-to-download.html

 ansacs wrote:

 jreilly89 wrote:

 Great White wrote:
What if the data slates were a free download, or you could buy the slates from GW for .99 if you wanted a copy from them?

That would be an actual good idea. Don't expect GW to do anything

Say what?
http://www.blacklibrary.com/Home/free-to-download.html

Well hot damn. Now to see if itll last.

I bet it does. Forgeworld has been doing this forever, so it is not exactly new for GW companies.

I am really digging these campaign books and rules in box releases. It is nice to be able to add new units and change how your army plays for a nominal fee rather than have to wait a decade to perhaps get a codex update or buy an entirely new army.

I find it almost impossible to believe that when a new codex comes out any player builds their army and then doesn't change it until a new codex. For variety, to counter other armies, to counter other players styles, etc etc etc

ahzek wrote:
I find it almost impossible to believe that when a new codex comes out any player builds their army and then doesn't change it until a new codex. For variety, to counter other armies, to counter other players styles, etc etc etc

How much does getting another dreadnaught change how the army plays? Or changing your devastators to missile launchers from lascannons? Compare this to nids getting a drop pod where they didn't have one. Or suddenly being able to run 5 helbrutes as a single unit. A perfect example of a dataslate that completely changes an army is Be'Lakor. What other single model can change how your army plays so drastically as a model that has guaranteed invisibility and shrouded?

I think including rules in new unit boxes is a good step better than having to wait for a new codex or buy and overpriced supplement.

However the cost of books for 40k is just too high. Even if you go digital.

A data slate is what a fiver or close to it? For a fiver a piece I have picked up the digital rules for Ronin, lions rampart, in her majesties name and a fist full of Kung fu. That's four game rules for under twenty quid. Sure they are not as long or complex as 40k but when I can buy four game systems for less than a 40k codex their is something wrong with the pricing.

Digital version of bolt action is only a tenner too with digital versions of their codex equivalent being a fiver each.

glue some plastic wallets to the back to put em in.
Or GW can make dex's with plastic wallets for just this.

Tbh, im more concerned with the price im paying to get a codex these days, as its not just a dex, I also need the 'suppliment' that is typically released at the exact same time along side 2-3 datasheets or other books simply to access formations....

And dont get me started on the price of plastic...

If GW feel like its worth putting the new rules in with the models and NOT charging me another £15 for them as a datasheet then I say good on them. Its not exactly hard to get a ring binder and store them effectively, to you sir I just call you lazy and typical of the modern capatalistic mindset we have developed; where we want everything on a plate and we want it now and were gona god damn complain when we dont.

If you feel like its still not enough carrying around a ring binger and your codex.... you could even take the time to create a excel spreadsheet that contains all the stats including the new units, just like the back of your book has. Infact! you most likely in a couple hours could record all the REQUIRED information to play your army onto about 5 A4 sheets of paper and do away with the whole dex... but again thats effort isn't it? Don't get me wrong, I GW doesn't give me a raging hard on, but lets alteast be realistic about this.

 Sir Arun wrote:

But when that costly investment suddenly begins to feel obsolete couple months down the line - and - well, adding that datasheet to your book and having it fall out each time you open your codex.... its not the same feeling like that unit entry being part of the codex since release day, you know?

So yeah, I hate GW's new policy. Just thought I'd vent that out.

Anybody else feel the same way?

No, I don't feel that at all Arun. Like many others have stated the move to include new rules with each new model is a fantastic one and rather than simply state that the datasheet falls out of your book try to look at it like this: at least they are giving you new stuff as and when it comes available rather than rely upon building a huge backlog, forcing a new codex. Invest in some blutac, sticky tape, pritt stick or just open your codex more carefully.

Your codex is far from obsolete, with the updates it makes it as up to date as possible. That's got to be a good thing.