Picking a 40k Army

[Falgorn]

Hey guys, I want to play Warhammer 40,000, but I have a serious dilemma. I have no idea which army to pick.
I don't want to hear about how it's a personal choice or anything, because I'm back at making choices.
Based on background, ever single army is badass.
Based on painting, they all still look badass.
Based on price, they all seem pretty expensive.

Just to put it out there, I'm a poor nerd who needs a hobby.
:smallsigh:

[hamishspence]

They vary a lot in playstyle- some specialize in rapid movement, some in firepower. Some are highly fragile, some very tough.

Since armies each tend to have a different playstyle (though some have more variance than others) you might want to avoid ones that don't suit you.

[Myatar_Panwar]

A friend at a local hobby store once told me that Chaos Space Marines are the cheapest army to play with, point for point.

Imperial Guard are probably the most expensive and time consuming.

[Trixie]

Based on background, ever single army is badass.
Based on painting, they all still look badass.
Based on price, they all seem pretty expensive.

You might want to check what answers people were giving me a few pages back on main 40K thread when I asked the same thing :smalltongue:

[Comet]

It's really quite difficult to go wrong with Space Marines, hence why you see so many players using them.

[Player_Zero]

Based on price, they all seem pretty expensive.

Warhammer is very expensive.

[Falgorn]

You might want to check what answers people were giving me a few pages back on main 40K thread when I asked the same thing :smalltongue:

The folks at the 40k thread helped me, too, whenever I asked a question.
It just lead to more questions!

@Conjob:
And that's why I have a problem with them. Everyone plays them. I want to play a rarely played army...
But space marines are sooooo bad ass!

[Myatar_Panwar]

What kind of playstyle are you most interested in?

Assault heavy?
Shooting heavy?
Tank heavy?
A fast army?
Horde army?

[crazedloon]

@Conjob:
And that's why I have a problem with them. Everyone plays them. I want to play a rarely played army...
But space marines are sooooo bad ass!

Than you should play Dark Eldar because no one plays them :smalltongue:

Also they are the most played because they are made to seem so bad ass because they are the flagship army of 40k (and thus the reason they get 2+ codex updates to everyone elses 1- )

As for the Question of the thread:

I would suggest going to the game store where you would be playing (or talk with the friends who you will be playing with) and seeing if you can get a few games in with other peoples models (most GW stores have days which let you use there models) that way you can get a hang of the rules and the basics so that you can figure out what sort of combat style you like. Once you have figured that out picking your army is a lot easier

[Inhuman Bot]

Warhammer is very expensive.

Tabletop wargameing is expensive.

Seriously. If you ingrate bastards think WH is expensive, try playing WARMACHINE/HORDES. :smallannoyed:

For the topic at hand, I'll echo the suggestions of Spaece Mahreens.

If you want a lesser-played army, try going for Dark Eldar. Noone plays them, because they suck (I kid.)

[hamishspence]

They are one of those armies that does one thing very very well, but are a bit unforgiving if you diverge from that.

[Cheesegear]

Seriously, the 40K thread (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133984) already exists. And, it's almost like you never even read the OP (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=7444907&postcount=1) which is exactly what you're looking for.

Come on guys, really?

[Inhuman Bot]

Seriously, the 40K thread (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133984) already exists. And, it's almost like you never even read the OP (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=7444907&postcount=1) which is exactly what you're looking for.

Come on guys, really?

But that's a little too much to expect, Cheesegear. Reading other threads? Seriously? :smalltongue:

[xp194]

For simplicities sake, I'll list the armies and a short summary of their play style

Space Marines - Good All rounders, essentially a starting army
Imperial Guard - relies on massed firepower, tanks on heavy artillery, mostly ranged
Witch Hunters/Sisters of Battle - Fire, and lots of it. (not sure about much else with them
Orks - Numerous, Strong and awesome. Just don't expect to win any firefights with them
Eldar - a few highly specialised units. Expensive, and any units outside of their element are generally toast.
Dark Elder - Highly Mobile Hit and Run attackers
Tau - The shooty army. Good with guns, guns and not much else
Necrons - Persistent Terminator-esque buggers that are quite powerful, but on the slow side. Have a chance of getting back up after being killed
Chaos - Essentially the same as Space Marines but I think they're more melee combat oriented. Have the Bloodthirster Demon.
Tyranids - Many, many, many fast units that love to get in close combat. Basically Zergs.

I think that's all, but I'm not too sure...

[tribble]

For simplicities sake, I'll list the armies and a short summary of their play style

Space Marines - Good All rounders, essentially a starting army
Imperial Guard - relies on massed firepower, tanks on heavy artillery, mostly ranged
Witch Hunters/Sisters of Battle - Fire, and lots of it. (not sure about much else with them
Orks - Numerous, Strong and awesome. Just don't expect to win any firefights with them
Eldar - a few highly specialised units. Expensive, and any units outside of their element are generally toast.
Dark Elder - Highly Mobile Hit and Run attackers
Tau - The shooty army. Good with guns, guns and not much else
Necrons - Persistent Terminator-esque buggers that are quite powerful, but on the slow side. Have a chance of getting back up after being killed
Chaos - Essentially the same as Space Marines but I think they're more melee combat oriented. Have the Bloodthirster Demon.Tyranids - Many, many, many fast units that love to get in close combat. Basically Zergs.

I think that's all, but I'm not too sure...

one mistake, I bolded it. Chaos Space Marines are now separate from daemons. CSMs still have a generic greater daemon, but the bloodthirster is a Daemons army unit.
And if you think CSMs are more melee combat oreinted, that's not quite it. it's more that they have more clearly defined roles. Shooty Chaos is shootier than shooty Marines, and Smacky Chaos is Smackier than Smacky Marines.

[xp194]

Ah, thanks for the correction.

[Isak]

You could always play a Gray Knight army?

Super Space Marines that cost insane amounts of points!

A bit pricier of an army to play, as I believe most models are Metal; but VERY impressive and rarely seen.

As far as HOW they play, I'm not quite sure. I'd assume a little more specialized than standard SM's, but definitely similar.

[Inhuman Bot]

You could always play a Gray Knight army?

Super Space Marines that cost insane amounts of points!

A bit pricier of an army to play, as I believe most models are Metal; but VERY impressive and rarely seen.

As far as HOW they play, I'm not quite sure. I'd assume a little more specialized than standard SM's, but definitely similar.

Gray Knights are amazing.

Ever heard about the first edition of GK's?

An army was a GK hero, and two GKs. They had AoE melee weapons. And that was just a start.

[Falgorn]

Seriously, the 40K thread (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133984) already exists. And, it's almost like you never even read the OP (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=7444907&postcount=1) which is exactly what you're looking for.

Come on guys, really?

I knew I would get at at least one post like this...

I feel like I've burdened the forum 40kers enough with my questions, so I started the thread.

And I don't read OPs, unless directed too

[Arcanoi]

It's not a burden. If we didn't want to answer questions and then have everybody else yell at us because our answer is wrong, we wouldn't read the thread.

[Closet_Skeleton]

Ever heard about the first edition of GK's?

An army was a GK hero, and two GKs. They had AoE melee weapons. And that was just a start.

First edition was more skirmish/rpg, so that's not quite as impressive as it sounds.

[hamishspence]

The big thing about chaos compared to other marines is versatility.

Most marine armies don't have troops which have bolter, chainsword, and pistol as standard- the Space wolves being one of the few exceptions.

The Grey Knights can combine shooting well with assaulting well, but they are very pricey in points.

[Wraith]

I knew I would get at at least one post like this...

I feel like I've burdened the forum 40kers enough with my questions, so I started the thread.

Don't worry about Cheesegear - he's just very earnest about making sure you get as much help as possible, and our 'other thread' is usually our best source :smallsmile:

Even so, while I'm here, I'm afraid you will have to make SOME choices; namely what sort of army you want to play. If you can answer these three questions, we can tell you just about everything you want to know as an answer:

Do you want to have lots of shooting, lots of Close Combat or a good mix of both?
Do you prefer lots of tanks and/or vehicles instead of lots of men running on their own feet, or a mix of both?
Do you want lots of weak models, a few very powerful ones, or a reasonable mix of both?


:smallsmile:

[Falgorn]

Don't worry about Cheesegear - he's just very earnest about making sure you get as much help as possible, and our 'other thread' is usually our best source :smallsmile:

Even so, while I'm here, I'm afraid you will have to make SOME choices; namely what sort of army you want to play. If you can answer these three questions, we can tell you just about everything you want to know as an answer:

Do you want to have lots of shooting, lots of Close Combat or a good mix of both?
Do you prefer lots of tanks and/or vehicles instead of lots of men running on their own feet, or a mix of both?
Do you want lots of weak models, a few very powerful ones, or a reasonable mix of both?


:smallsmile:



Erm...a good mix of both, but more focused towards shooting.
I must say that I'd enjoy tanks and vehicles.
A good mix of the two, but more towards the "few, powerful" side.

Thanks.

[Cristo Meyers]

Erm...a good mix of both, but more focused towards shooting.
I must say that I'd enjoy tanks and vehicles.
A good mix of the two, but more towards the "few, powerful" side.

Thanks.

Space Marines or Tau seem to be the best fit for those general guidelines. Space Marines fit the "few, powerful" aspect better, while Tau fit the "focused towards shooting" better. Both have their share of tanks/vehicles.

[Asheram]

Tau if you want a "beautiful and still practical" army...

Myself, I'm leaning towards Tyranids.... Join us... We Are Legion!

[Jair Barik]

If price is a concern may I suggest Orks?
Yes you do need a lot of models and a transport heavy/bike heavy army can be quite costly but for several reasons they are quite a good choice.
-As the second "main" army to ther SM you can be sure they will recieve updates and support (unlike Necrons or Dark Eldar)
-They get more "box" sets for the same reason (usually getting decent discount)
-The good priced Assualt on black reach gives orks and you can trade your marines for more orks, keep them for a small marine force or even convert the dreadnought into an ork deff dread.
-Even though some units are very luck based they are a competetive viable army
-They are fun and unlike some of the other armies aren't as emo with the army list encouraging you to convert units from other models and mess about with colour scheme and such like.

Yes I do play orks and so I am biased, had I chose Space wolves or such like I'd probably say that instead.

I would however recommend you not to chose Necrons or Nids. Necrons are in desperate need of a new codex, their current rules crippling them severely and nids have just jumped in price with the imminent arrival of the new codex. COme january there will be an influx of new nid players but some of the new models and the new box set cost a pretty penny (the battleforce costs £5-10 more than the old one but they have removed a £25 model from it.

[Wraith]

Erm...a good mix of both, but more focused towards shooting.
I must say that I'd enjoy tanks and vehicles.
A good mix of the two, but more towards the "few, powerful" side.

Thanks.

I agree with Cristo Meyers - you sound like you want either Tau or Space Marines. :smallsmile:

I would recommend the latter, on the grounds that Marines are a good mix between Close Combat and Shooting whereas Tau... aren't. :smallbiggrin:

So there's your starting point. The next best thing to do is go to a branch of GW and have a look at the Codices for those armies and see if they are what you're after. Any of the staff will be more than happy to tell you everything that they know about starting a new army.

Just, for Gods' sake, don't let them talk you into buying ANYTHING until you've read the books and had a good hard think about it! :smallsmile:
GW Staff are usually nice people, but in my experience they're very driven to sell this month's "biggest thing". For example, despite insisting that I was very definitely collecting an army made up of Drop Pods and Dreadnoughts, a Blackshirt that I recently spoke to still recommended that I buy a Squadron of Land Speeders which had conviniently just been released that week.
I don't quite remember his reasoning as to why I so radically alter my immaculately planned-out list on a whim, though it had something to do with him implying that everything I had on the table was going to be shot simultaneously with Railguns, and that when that happened I might as well have something new and worth shooting... :smallconfused:

[1dominator]

One thing I might add is to not buy the army from GW, instead you can get it off ebay, www.kijiji.com, craiglist or any other site of similar nature. I bought a large catachan army (90 guys +elites +armour) for about 160 bucks. Much MUCH cheaper then buying from GW.