
- BGG rating
- 6.8
Warhammer 40,000 (Fourth Edition): Codex – Space Marines
- 2 players
- 120 min
- 2004

2004
Rules assistance for Warhammer 40,000 (Fourth Edition)
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 2 players

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Warhammer 40,000 (Fourth Edition) is a board game released in 2004 for 2–6 players, 60 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Rick Priestley, Jervis Johnson, Andy Chambers, and Pete Haines and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Dice Rolling, and Modular Board.
This is the 4th edition of Games Workshop very popular tabletop miniature game. The rulebook is mainly a revamped version of the 3rd edition with various rule simplifications throughout. Overall, the mechanics of the game have stayed the same. Rich in background this book offers all kinds of modelling tips, terrrain building and painting guide. From the back of the rulebook: " Warhammer 40,000 is a tabletop game for two or more players where you command the forces of the Imperium or one of its many enemies. This book provides you with all the rules you need to play, and guides you through collecting and painting your own army of Citadel miniatures."
Warhammer 40,000 (Fourth Edition) supports 2–6 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Warhammer 40,000 (Fourth Edition) is 60 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Warhammer 40,000 (Fourth Edition) for ages 10 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Warhammer 40,000 (Fourth Edition) has a complexity rating of 3.5 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-weight game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Warhammer 40,000 (Fourth Edition) belongs to these categories: Fantasy, Miniatures, and Science Fiction. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Dice Rolling, and Modular Board. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Warhammer 40,000 (Fourth Edition) are: Rick Priestley, Jervis Johnson, Andy Chambers, and Pete Haines. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Warhammer 40,000 (Fourth Edition) as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.