Modernising a 90s Warhammer 40K Army

Question

I collected and gamed with a Blood Angel and Dark Angel army during the mid to late 90s. I have (I think) the second edition that came in a box set of basic Space Marines and Orks, and also have the Dark Millenium expansion. I've been wondering recently what I would need to get to bring myself up to date with the current (7th) edition/rules. If I were to get the newer models/squads etc, I would need at least the codex. However presumably that itself would mean I need the updated rule book. What about the likes of the wargear cards, warp cards, vehicle data cards etc? Would the wide range of templates (flamer, blast radius etc) still be applicable?

Also, whilst looking over some of my items I found a few old blister packs with a price on, so had a quick compare of prices. However, one of the blister packs was Brother Bethor - he no longer seems to be available. Presumably he'd be missing from a modern Codex and associated rules/points cost may no longer be valid. I'm concerned this might also apply to other models in my army - how would this be resolved properly?

Answer 1

You would need the core rule book and codex to start. Both the Dark Angels and Blood Angels codexes are separate books now. There are scenario cards and psychic cards for the current edition, but they are optional. The game currently uses the 3" and 5" templates along with the teardrop flamer. Those, a measuring device, a scatter die, and copious d6s is all that is required for play outside of minis and terrain.

The special characters available have changed much since 2nd edition. The big ones like Dante, Mephiston, Ezekiel, and such are still around. Generally if a character has gone away, there is usually a generic HQ options that you can still use the model for, such as a Blood Angel Sanguinary Priest and in the case of Bethor Dark Angels chapter standard bearer.

Answer 2

Really, the only thing you would have to invest in is the codex, rulebook and new templates. All of your army would still be completely valid. The Uniques can always be substituted for one of the generic HQs, and would still be permitted in tournaments (The uniques cost more than the generics, so GW makes more money, and let you play). Unless you're really set on running BA and DA, a generic SM codex might be better until you get to grips with the new rules of alliances and so forth. You would have to do very little work configuring a BA DA army into a generic SM army, and these days the armies are so similar anyway that it wouldn't be too much of a loss, especially if you are going to switch back again (get the digital codex to begin with, it's cheaper). While I run BAs myself, I still find having an SM codex really useful, so it would not be a wasted investment anyway. Good to see you're re-entering the 41st millennium!