Editing Warhammer 40,000 (section)

==History==
In 1982, [[Rick Priestley]] joined [[Citadel Miniatures]], a company started with support from [[Games Workshop]] that produced miniature figurines for use in ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]''. [[Bryan Ansell]] (the manager of Citadel) asked Priestley to develop a medieval-fantasy miniature wargame that would be given away for free to customers so as to encourage them to buy more miniatures. ''Dungeons & Dragons'' did not require players to use miniature figurines, and even when players used them, they rarely needed more than a handful.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://juegosydados.com/2016/08/26/interview-with-rick-priestley/ |title=Interview with Rick Priestley |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=26 August 2016 |website=Juegos y Dados |access-date=19 October 2018 |archive-date=20 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020095009/https://juegosydados.com/2016/08/26/interview-with-rick-priestley/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The result was ''[[Warhammer Fantasy Battle]]'', which was released in 1983 to great success.

''Warhammer Fantasy'' was principally a medieval fantasy game in the vein of ''Dungeons & Dragons'', but Priestley and his fellow designers added a smattering of optional science fiction elements, namely in the form of advanced technological artefacts (e.g., laser weapons) left behind by a long-gone race of spacefarers. ''Warhammer 40,000'' was an evolution of this taken to the opposite extreme (i.e., mostly science-fiction but with some fantasy elements).

Since before working for Games Workshop, Priestley had been developing a spaceship combat tabletop wargame called "Rogue Trader", which mixed science fiction with classic fantasy elements. Priestley integrated many elements of the lore of "Rogue Trader" into ''Warhammer 40,000'', chiefly those concerning space travel, but he discarded the ship combat rules for lack of space in the book.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maliszewski |first=James |date=2020-11-13 |title=Interview: Rick Priestley (Part II) |url=https://grognardia.blogspot.com/2020/11/interview-rick-priestley-part-ii.html |access-date=2025-02-11 |website=GROGNARDIA}}</ref>{{Efn|Priestley had - with [[Richard Halliwell (game designer)|Richard Halliwell]] - written a set of science fiction table top miniatures rules called ''Combat 3000'' in 1980}}

Games Workshop planned to sell conversion kits by which players could modify their ''Warhammer Fantasy'' models to wield futuristic weaponry such as laser weapons, but eventually Games Workshop decided to create a dedicated line of models for ''Warhammer 40,000''.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMRcoiVeOII |title=40k Game Changers Ep 7: Rick Priestley. How 40k was created just to shut him up! |date=2021-02-23 |last=Frontline Gaming |access-date=2025-03-06 |via=YouTube}}</ref> However, certain models of Chaos Daemons can be used for both ''Warhammer 40,000'' and ''Warhammer Fantasy'' (or its successor, [[Warhammer Age of Sigmar]]).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.warhammer.com/en-CA/shop/Daemonettes-of-Slaanesh-2021?queryID=97b4448d2ed55ebc9240e9371688d0f5 | title=Daemonettes of Slaanesh }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.warhammer.com/en-CA/shop/Great-Unclean-One-2018?queryID=404d69a54777f842b0bd3a6b5fb54df6 | title=Great Unclean One }}</ref>

Initially, Priestley's new game was simply to be titled ''Rogue Trader'', but shortly before release Games Workshop signed a contract with [[2000 AD (comics)|2000 AD]] to develop a board game based on their comic book ''[[Rogue Trooper]]''. So as not to confuse customers and to satisfy the demand for the Rogue Trader game which had been promised since 1983, Games Workshop renamed Priestley's game ''Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader'' and marketed it as a spin-off of ''Warhammer Fantasy Battle'' (which in many ways, it was).

''Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader'' received its first full preview in ''[[White Dwarf (magazine)|White Dwarf]]'' issue number 93 (September 1987).

''[[Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader]]'' was released in October 1987. It was a success and became Games Workshop's most important product. In the January 1988 edition of ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' (issue 129), [[Ken Rolston]] raved about this game, calling it "colossal, stupendous, and spectacular... This is the first science-fiction/fantasy to make my blood boil."<ref name=dragon>{{cite journal|last=Rolston|first=Ken|author-link=Ken Rolston|date=January 1988|title=Advanced hack-and-slash|url=https://annarchive.com/files/Drmg129.pdf|journal=[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]|publisher=[[TSR (company)|TSR, Inc.]]|issue=129|pages=86–87|access-date=2021-12-25|archive-date=2021-12-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211225082912/https://annarchive.com/files/Drmg129.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

===First edition (''Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader'') (1987)===
{{main|Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader}}
The first edition of the game was titled ''[[Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader]]'', and its rules are based on ''[[Warhammer Fantasy Battle]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine | author     =<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> | title      = Warhammer 40,000 | magazine   = White Dwarf | issue = 93 | pages = 33–44 | publisher  = Games Workshop | date       = September 1987 }}</ref> "Rogue Trader" had been the game's working title during development. The "Rogue Trader" subtitle was dropped in subsequent editions. It was published in 1987.<ref>{{cite book|title=Rogue Trader|first=Rick|last=Priestley|year=1987 |orig-year=1992|publisher=Games Workshop|location=Eastwood|isbn=1-872372-27-9}}</ref> Game designer [[Rick Priestley]] created the original rules set (based on the contemporary [[Warhammer Fantasy Battle#Second edition|second edition of ''Warhammer Fantasy Battle'']]) alongside the ''Warhammer 40,000'' gameworld. The gameplay of ''Rogue Trader'' was more oriented toward [[Role-playing game|role-playing]] rather than strict wargaming with instructions for a third person to act as gamesmaster to umpire the game.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Priestley |first=Rick |title=Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader |date=1987 |publisher=Games Workshop, ltd |isbn=978-1-869893-23-1 |publication-date=1987 |pages=6}}</ref> This original version came as a very detailed, though rather jumbled, rulebook, which made it most suitable for fighting small [[skirmisher|skirmishes]].<ref>{{cite journal|date=June 2008 |title = The High Lords Speak |journal = White Dwarf |issue = 343|pages = 35–36| publisher = [[Games Workshop]]}}</ref> Much of the composition of the units was determined randomly, by rolling [[dice]]. A few elements of the setting (bolters, lasguns, frag grenades, Terminator armour) can be seen in a set of earlier wargaming rules called ''[[Laserburn]]'' (produced by the now defunct company Tabletop Games) written by Bryan Ansell. These rules were later expanded by both Ansell and [[Richard Halliwell (game designer)|Richard Halliwell]] (both of whom ended up working for Games Workshop), although the rules were not a precursor to ''Rogue Trader''.<ref>''White Dwarf'' (June 2008) pp. 34–35</ref>

Supplemental material was continually published in ''[[White Dwarf (magazine)|White Dwarf]]'' magazine, which provided rules for new units and models. Eventually, ''White Dwarf'' provided proper "army lists" that could be used to create larger and more coherent forces than were given in the main rulebook. These articles were from time to time released in expansion books along with new rules, background materials and illustrations. Ten books were released for the original edition of ''Warhammer 40,000'': "Chapter Approved—Book of the Astronomican", "Compendium", "Warhammer 40,000 Compilation", "Waaagh—Orks", two [[Realm of Chaos (Warhammer)|"Realm of Chaos"]] ("Slaves to Darkness" and "The Lost and the Damned" - the books covering both WFB and WH40K), {{"'}}Ere we Go" and "Freebooterz" (for Ork players), "Battle Manual", and "Vehicle Manual". The "Battle Manual" changed and codified the combat rules and provided updated stats for most of the weapons in the game. The "Vehicle Manual" contained a new system for vehicle management on the tabletop which was intended to supersede the clunky rules given in the base hardback manual and in the red softback compendium; it had an inventive target location system which used acetate crosshairs to simulate weapon hits on the vehicle silhouettes with different armour values for different locations (such as tracks, engine compartment, ammo store, and so on). "Waaagh—Orks" was an introductory manual to Orkish culture and physiology. It contained no rules, but background material. The other Ork-themed books had army lists for major Ork clans and also for pirate and mercenary outfits.

Games Workshop released two important supplementary rulebooks for this edition: ''Realm of Chaos: Slaves to Darkness'' and ''Realm of Chaos: The Lost and the Damned''. These two books added the Chaos Gods and their daemons to the setting along with the Horus Heresy origin story.

The artwork of the 1st edition books was a mishmash of styles from a variety of science-fiction works, such as [[H. R. Giger]], ''Star Wars'', and ''[[2000 AD (comics)|2000AD]]'' comics. In subsequent editions, the artwork of ''Warhammer 40,000'' moved towards a more coherent aesthetic based around gothic architecture and art.

===Second edition (1993)===
The second edition of ''Warhammer 40,000'' was published in late 1993. The starter set included Space Marines and Orks. The box artwork (by John Blanche) and studio army depicted the Blood Angels Space Marine Chapter.

This new course for the game was forged under the direction of editor [[Andy Chambers]]. Chambers reshaped the lore in a way that was more serious and pessimistic in tone (a direction which Rick Priestley lamented).{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}} The new theme of the setting is that humanity's situation is not merely dire but hopeless, as the Imperium does not have the strength to defeat its myriad enemies and will collapse in time. This was not the case in the first edition; the first edition rulebook suggested that humanity could eventually triumph and prosper if it can survive long enough to complete its evolution into a fully psychic race, and this was the Emperor's goal.

The second edition of the game introduced army lists, putting constraints on the composition of a player's army. At least 75% of an army's strength (by point value) had to be of units from the same faction. This way, the battles that the players would play would fit the factional rivalries described in the setting. An expansion box set titled ''Dark Millennium'' was later released, which included rules for psychic powers. Another trait of the game was the attention given to "special characters" representing specific individuals from the setting, who had access to equipment and abilities beyond those of regular units; the earlier edition only had three generic "heroic" profiles for each army: "champion", "minor hero" and "major hero". A player could spend up to 50% of their army points on a special character. Such heroic characters were so powerful that the second edition was nicknamed "Herohammer".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.belloflostsouls.net/2020/03/warhammer-40k-a-history-of-editions-1st-2nd-edition.html|title=Warhammer 40K: A History of Editions—1st & 2nd Edition|date=25 March 2020|access-date=5 September 2021|archive-date=5 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210905140016/https://www.belloflostsouls.net/2020/03/warhammer-40k-a-history-of-editions-1st-2nd-edition.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The second edition introduced major revisions to the lore and would go on to define the general character of the lore up until the 8th edition. The Adeptus Mechanicus' prohibition on artificial intelligence was added, stemming from an ancient cataclysmic war between humans and sentient machines; this was inspired by the ''[[Dune (franchise)|Dune]]'' novels.

===Third edition (1998)===
The third edition of the game was released in 1998 and, like the second edition, concentrated on streamlining the rules for larger battles.<ref name="Priestley 1998">{{cite book | title = Warhammer 40,000 |first=Rick| last=Priestley |edition=3rd|year=1998|publisher=Games Workshop |location = Nottingham | isbn = 1-84154-000-5 |display-authors=etal}}</ref> Third-edition rules were notably simpler.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rpg.net/news+reviews/reviews/rev_1577.html|title=Warhammer 40K, 3rd edition|last=Driver|first=Jason|work=RPGnet|publisher=Skotos Tech|access-date=2008-09-29|archive-date=2012-02-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224215941/http://www.rpg.net/news+reviews/reviews/rev_1577.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The rulebook was available alone, or as a starter boxed set with miniatures of Space Marines and the newly introduced Dark Eldar. The system of army ''[[Codex (Warhammer 40,000)|'codexes']]''<!--DO not change the word "codexes" to "codices". We are aware it is not proper English, but we are using the word which GW uses for the books, hence the quotes.--> continued in third edition. The box artwork and studio army depicted the Black Templars Space Marine Chapter.

Towards the end of the third edition, four new army codexes were introduced: the xeno (that is, alien) races of the Necron and the T'au and two armies of the Inquisition: the Ordo Malleus (called Daemonhunters), and the Ordo Hereticus (called Witchhunters); elements of the latter two armies had appeared before in supplementary material (such as ''Realm of Chaos'' and ''Codex: Sisters of Battle''). At the end of the third edition, these armies were re-released with all-new artwork and army lists. The release of the T'au coincided with a rise in popularity for the game in the United States.<ref name="FT 2002">{{cite news|title=Games Workshop runs rings around its rivals |last=Guthrie| first=Jonathon| date=July 31, 2002|work=[[Financial Times]] |page=20|id = {{ProQuest|249274306}}}}</ref>

===Fourth edition (2004)===
The fourth edition of ''Warhammer 40,000'' was released in 2004.<ref>{{cite book|title=Warhammer 40,000|first1=Andy|last1=Chambers |last2=Priestley |first2=Rick |last3=Haines |first3=Pete|edition=4th|year=2004|publisher=Games Workshop|location=Nottingham|isbn=1-84154-468-X}}</ref> This edition did not feature as many major changes as prior editions and was "[[Backward compatibility|backwards compatible]]" with each army's third-edition codex. The fourth edition was released in three forms: the first was a standalone hardcover version, with additional information on painting, scenery building, and background information about the ''Warhammer 40,000'' universe. The second was a boxed set, called ''Battle for Macragge'', which included a compact softcover version of the rules, scenery, dice, templates, and [[Space Marines (Warhammer 40,000)|Space Marines]] and [[Tyranids|Tyranid]] miniatures. The third was a limited collector's edition. ''Battle for Macragge'' was a 'game in a box', targeted primarily at beginners. ''Battle for Macragge'' was based on the Tyranid invasion of the Ultramarines' homeworld, Macragge. An expansion to this was released called ''The Battle Rages On!'', which featured new scenarios and units, like the Tyranid Warrior.

===Fifth edition (2008)===
The fifth edition of Warhammer 40,000 was released on 12 July 2008. While there are some differences between the fourth and fifth editions, the general rule set shares many similarities. Codex books designed prior to the fifth edition are still compatible with only some changes to how those armies function.<ref name="White Dwarf July 2008">{{cite journal |title=In the Pipeline |journal=White Dwarf |issue=343 |date=July 2008}}</ref> The starter set was called ''Assault on Black Reach'', which featured a pocket-sized rulebook (containing the full ruleset but omitting the background and hobby sections of the full-sized rulebook), and starter armies for the Space Marines and Orks.

New additions to the rules included the ability for infantry models to "Go to Ground" when under fire, providing additional protection at the cost of mobility and shooting as they dive for cover. Actual line of sight is needed to fire at enemy models. Also introduced was the ability to run, whereby units may forgo shooting to cover more ground. In addition, cover was changed so that it is now easier for a unit to get a cover save. Damage to vehicles was simplified and significantly reduced, and tanks could ram other vehicles.<ref name="White Dwarf July 2008" /> Some of these rules were modelled after rules that existed in the Second Edition but were removed in the Third. Likewise, 5th edition codexes saw a return of many units that had been cut out in the previous edition for having unwieldy rules. These units were largely brought back with most of their old rules streamlined for the new edition. Fifth edition releases focused largely on Space Marine forces, including the abolishment of the Daemonhunters in favour of an army composed of Grey Knights, a special chapter of Space Marines, which, in previous editions, had provided the elite choices of the Daemonhunters' army list. Another major change was the shift from metal figures to [[resin]] kits.

===Sixth edition (2012)===
The sixth edition was released on June 23, 2012. Changes to this edition included the adoption of an optional Psychic Power card system similar to that of the game's sister product ''Warhammer Fantasy Battle'' as well as the inclusion of full rules for flying vehicles and monsters and a major reworking of the manner in which damage is resolved against vehicles. It also included expanded rules for greater interaction with scenery and more dynamic close-combat.<ref>{{cite web|title=Games Workshop|url=http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/productDetail.jsp?catId=cat440160a&prodId=prod1620012a|access-date=2012-06-22|archive-date=2012-06-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120625220931/http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/productDetail.jsp?catId=cat440160a&prodId=prod1620012a|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition to updating existing rules and adding new ones, 6th Edition introduced several other large changes: the Alliance system, in which players can bring units from other armies to work with their own, with varying levels of trust; the choice to take one fortification as part of your force; and Warlord traits, which will allow a player's Commander to gain a categorically randomised trait that can aid their forces in different situations. The starter box set was titled "Dark Vengeance" which included Dark Angels Space Marines and a Crimson Slaughter Chaos Space Marine Warband. Some of the early release box sets of Dark Vengeance contained a limited-edition Interrogator-Chaplain for the Dark Angels.

The Imperial Knights (''Codex: Imperial Knights'') were a new addition to the Imperium of Man faction. Previously found in Epic large-scale battles, particularly the [[Epic (tabletop game)|Titan Legions (2nd Edition)]] boxed set, the Imperial Knights are walkers that are smaller than proper Imperial Titans but nonetheless tower over all other Warhammer 40,000 vehicles and troops.<!--Fan wikis such as Lexicanum are not [[WP:RS|reliable sources]]. Do not cite them.--><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.goonhammer.com/start-competing-imperial-knights/ |title=Start Competing: Imperial Knights Tactics |publisher=Goonhammer |date=27 September 2019 |access-date=2022-02-21 |archive-date=2022-01-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220131181017/https://www.goonhammer.com/start-competing-imperial-knights/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Seventh edition (2014)===
The seventh edition of the game was announced in ''White Dwarf'' issue 15, pre-orders for 17 May and release date of 24 May 2014.<ref>{{cite web|last=Harden|first=Dan|title=White Dwarf, the herald of things to come...|url=http://www.games-workshop.com/en-GB/What's-New-Today-from-the-White-Dwarf-Team/2014/05/01/White-Dwarf-the-herald-of-things-to-come|publisher=Games Workshop|access-date=11 May 2014|archive-date=2 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140602063317/http://www.games-workshop.com/en-GB/What%27s-New-Today-from-the-White-Dwarf-Team/2014/05/01/White-Dwarf-the-herald-of-things-to-come|url-status=live}}</ref>

The 7th edition saw several major changes to the game, including a dedicated Psychic Phase, as well as the way psychic powers worked overall,<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDDcX8a-9uA&list=PLEaPE4sLDA7uq91iOuAUyP2mrBaSOAsv-&index=5| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140626042834/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDDcX8a-9uA| archive-date=2014-06-26 | url-status=dead|title=NEW! Warhammer 40,000: The Psychic Phase|date=16 May 2014|via=YouTube}}</ref> and changeable mid-game Tactical Objectives. Tactical Objectives would give the players alternative ways to score Victory Points, and thus win games. These objectives could change at different points during the game.<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RE4H93c7U5Y&list=PLEaPE4sLDA7uq91iOuAUyP2mrBaSOAsv-&index=6| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140514051949/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RE4H93c7U5Y&gl=US&hl=en| archive-date=2014-05-14 | url-status=dead|title=NEW! Warhammer 40,000: Maelstrom of War Missions|date=16 May 2014|via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.games-workshop.com/en-US/Warhammer-40-000-Tactical-Objectives;jsessionid=8C6F7FA6456A6521163193168C667F1C|title=Warhammer 40,000: Tactical Objectives |work=Games Workshop Webstore|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140607000416/http://www.games-workshop.com/en-US/Warhammer-40-000-Tactical-Objectives;jsessionid=8C6F7FA6456A6521163193168C667F1C |archive-date=2014-06-07}}</ref>

As well as these additions, the 7th edition provided a new way to organise army lists. Players could play as either Battle-Forged, making a list in the same way as 6th edition, or Unbound, which allowed the player to use any models they desired, disregarding the Force Organisation Chart.<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JnMByJVUow&list=PLEaPE4sLDA7uq91iOuAUyP2mrBaSOAsv-&index=4| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512093336/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JnMByJVUow&gl=US&hl=en| archive-date=2014-05-12 | url-status=dead|title=NEW! Warhammer 40,000: New army organisation options|date=16 May 2014|via=YouTube}}</ref> Bonuses are given to Battle-Forged armies. Additionally, Lord of War units, which are powerful units previously only allowed in large-scale ("Apocalypse") games, are now included in the standard rulebook, and are a normal part of the Force Organisation Chart.

===Eighth edition (2017)===
The eighth edition of the game was announced on 22 April 2017,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.warhammer-community.com/2017/04/22/breaking-news/ |title=Breaking News! |work=Warhammer Community |access-date=2017-07-16 |date=2017-04-22 |archive-date=2017-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707140655/https://www.warhammer-community.com/2017/04/22/breaking-news/ |url-status=live |last1=Wallen |first1=Sarah }}</ref> pre-orders for 3 June<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.warhammer-community.com/2017/06/03/dark-imperium-pre-orders/|title=Dark Imperium Pre-orders|work=Warhammer Community|access-date=2017-07-16|date=2017-06-03|archive-date=2017-07-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710045103/https://www.warhammer-community.com/2017/06/03/dark-imperium-pre-orders/|url-status=live}}</ref> and release date of 17 June 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.warhammer-community.com/2017/06/17/new-edition-now-available-read-the-rules-get-the-t-shirtgw-homepage-post-1/ |title=New Edition Now Available—Read the Rules, Get the T-Shirt! |work=Warhammer Community |access-date=2017-07-16 |date=2017-06-17 |archive-date=2017-07-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705194351/https://www.warhammer-community.com/2017/06/17/new-edition-now-available-read-the-rules-get-the-t-shirtgw-homepage-post-1/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The 8th edition was the most radical revision to ''Warhammer 40,000's'' rules since the third edition. The game introduced the Three Ways to Play concept: Open, Matched, and Narrative.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.warhammer-community.com/2017/04/24/new-warhammer-40000-three-ways-to-play/|title=New Warhammer 40,000: Three Ways to Play|work=Warhammer Community|access-date=2017-07-16|date=2017-04-24|archive-date=2017-07-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710014716/https://www.warhammer-community.com/2017/04/24/new-warhammer-40000-three-ways-to-play/|url-status=live}}</ref> The core ruleset was simplified down to 14 pages, and was available as a free PDF booklet on the Games Workshop website.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.games-workshop.com/en-US/Warhammer-40000-Rules|title=Rules|publisher=Games Workshop|language=en|access-date=2017-07-16|archive-date=2017-08-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801201900/https://www.games-workshop.com/en-US/Warhammer-40000-Rules|url-status=live}}</ref> The more complex rules are retained in the updated hardcover Rulebook. The narrative of the setting has also been updated: an enlarged Eye of Terror has split the galaxy in half,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.warhammer-community.com/2017/04/23/new-warhammer-40000-the-galaxy-mapgw-homepage-post-1/|title=New Warhammer 40,000: The Galaxy Map|work=Warhammer Community|access-date=2017-07-16|date=2017-04-23|archive-date=2017-11-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107025901/https://www.warhammer-community.com/2017/04/23/new-warhammer-40000-the-galaxy-mapgw-homepage-post-1/|url-status=live}}</ref> while the Primarch Roboute Guilliman returns to lead the Imperium as its Lord Commander, beginning with reclaiming devastated worlds through the Indomitus Crusade.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Dark Imperium|last=Guy |first=Haley |date=2018|publisher=Black Library|isbn=9781784966645 |oclc=989984121}}</ref>

The 8th Edition introduced a new box set called "Dark Imperium", which featured the next-generation Primaris Space Marines which are available as reinforcements to existing Space Marines (now known as Firstborn), as well as introducing new characters and rules to the Death Guard Chaos Space Marines. The Primaris Marines are taller and have a new helmet design compared to existing Firstborn Marines in earlier types of Power Armour. In-game, Primaris Marines are distinct units with different attributes compared to Firstborn Marines (all Firstborn marines are considered equivalent units regardless of the edition of their Power Armour design); also Primaris Marines have their own accompanying vehicles as they are not compatible with those of the Firstborn.

===Ninth edition (2020)===
The ninth edition was released in July 2020. With it came a redesigned logo, the first redesign since 3rd edition. The 9th edition was only a minor modification of the 8th edition's rules. Codexes, supplements and the rules from the Psychic Awakening series made for 8th edition are compatible with 9th.

Ninth edition also introduced four new box sets: "Indomitus", a limited release set that came out at the start of 9th edition, and the Recruit, Elite and Command editions. The four boxes feature revised designs and new units for the Necrons, and new units for the Primaris Space Marines.

===Tenth edition (2023)===
''Warhammer 40,000'' 10th Edition was released by Games Workshop in June 2023. Significant alterations were made to the game. Tenth edition revolves around the 4th Tyrannic War, introducing fresh regulations and units for both Space Marines and Tyranids, along with significant modifications to the 41st Millennium's setting. The game has a more straightforward structure, featuring more concise Indexes and a restriction of six stratagems per army. Instead of the current codices, free and downloadable indexes are accessible. The Psychic Phase has been eliminated, with "Battleshock" tests taking the place of the Morale Phase.

Much like Ninth edition, Tenth edition introduced four new box sets: first with "Leviathan", a limited release set that came out at the start of 10th edition.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.wargamer.com/warhammer-40k/10th-edition-starter-set-leviathan | title=Full reveal of Warhammer 40k 10th edition starter set Leviathan | date=29 April 2023 }}</ref> Also, three "starter sets" were introduced: the Introductory set, Starter set and Ultimate Starter set.

While Firstborn Marines and Primaris Marines miniatures were sold alongside each other between 2017 and 2023 for the eighth and ninth editions, many Firstborn sets have been discontinued coinciding with the release of the tenth edition. This decision by Games Workshop to retire Firstborn miniatures via [[planned obsolescence]] is controversial, as Primaris Marine units have better in-game abilities than their Firstborn counterparts for a given points cost, and longtime players who have collected large Firstborn armies have complained that they are being forced to purchase Primaris miniatures in order to remain competitive at official Games Workshop tournaments.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-24 |title=GW continues cull of Warhammer 40k Space Marine kits |url=https://www.wargamer.com/warhammer-40k/space-marines-firstborn-cull |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=Wargamer |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Harrison |first=Adam |date=2023-07-24 |title=Warhammer 40K: Space Marine Range Is Shrinking Again |url=https://www.belloflostsouls.net/2023/07/warhammer-40k-space-marine-range-is-shrinking-again.html |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=Bell of Lost Souls |language=en}}</ref>