Warhammer 40K: New Black Library Astra Militarum Covers Make Me Want A New Codex

We got teases of Krieg this year but it never materialized into a new codex. Here’s hoping 2022 brings us more Astra Militarum!

The Black Library has announced a pair of new books that are going to explore the Astra Militarum from two different regiment’s points-of-view. After seeing the covers, I really hope we get a new Guard Codex in the next year.

via Warhammer Community

Krieg – A Death Korps Novel by Steve Lyons

Catachan Devil – An Astara Militarum Novel by Justin Woolley

These covers are pretty darn cool. It’s great to see these “every man” type of heroes facing off against the overwhelming odds that are life in the Grimdark of the far future. Sure, the Catachans do look like they never miss a workout but still…they are “normal” humans as opposed to the genetically modified and super-soldier enhanced Space Marines.

I don’t want to get into all the issues with the current codex. Abe did a pretty good job explaining that already. It boils down to in an era of the “meta that is dominated by vehicle hordes and indirect fire” the guard just aren’t killy enough to compete. They are just dated right now. Which is why a new codex would be great. And based on this cool new artwork, I’m hoping they get one that features more of this stuff!

Plus, GW did create those Krieg guardsmen for Kill Team…

A new codex could feature more rules for them and maybe even more Krieg specific units? Or what about the Catachans?!

I’d love to see them get a redesign that is less 80’s action movie muscle and something that is slight more ‘real’ looking like their command squad:

Plus with Cadian destroyed (but not fallen) it would be great to see how the Imperium is holding up after one of it’s most famous regiments (and arguably the Guard Poster Boys) took such a massive hit. It could be time for a new (or old) regiment to become the “default” option.

In any case the art is inspiring and I hope a new codex helps to capture some of that same magic. But we’ll have to wait and see — the release queue for Codexes is starting to get a little long…

What do you think of the new Astra Militarum art? Would you like to see the Guard get a next gen codex?

Author: Adam Harrison

Writer, Editor, Texas Native, and Austinite for 15+ years, Adam covers all things Tabletop Gaming. Which includes Warhammer 40,000, Age of Sigmar, D&D, Board Games and everything else that involves dice, boards, cards and a table. A hobbyist, player, and collector of miniatures and games, Adam's current obsession are his Death Armies for Age of Sigmar, his Blood Angels and Tyranids for 40k, and his ever growing Arkham Horror: The Card Game Collection.