Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

I've always been a 40k player. Not much into fantasy but considering starting a army. Not really to play at the moment mainly just to paint as I do enjoy the models, just not the gameplay as much as 40k. Now im a decent painter, most of the stuff I do is to a tabletop standard, heros and HQ stuff I take some more time on. That being said I'm considering the one of the following armies... Vampire Counts, Empire, and Dwarfs...

As for vampire counts I love their models. I like all the undead things and such. Empire I have always liked but painting bright colors and skin scares me haha. Dwarfs I had my hand on the Battle for skull pass set years ago and they turned out alright... Nothing to be proud of but I have since improved my painting skills. I also prefer armies with better value for the models, that's why I do 40k Orks, you get so many models for a cheaper price compared to say Space marines, my other army. I love having a mob kinda army. Theres nothing like having tons of miniatures!! That's also a reason I'm leaning towards Vampire counts. But I also have to take into consideration the difficulty of painting that is required to make them look good.

Anyone that could chime in with some help with my decision would be greatly appreciated.

Join us, in the ranks of the undead!

If you're leaning towards VC then i say do it, they have some really cool models (OMG HEXWRAITHS OMG) and their are some really cool vampire models out there. A fully painted army looks really cool as well.

That being said the new dwarf units clad in full armor are SOOO cool so you should pick up a box of ironbreakers if you are mainly looking to paint things.

Dwarfs because everyone loves beer and heavil armoured and armed lads with enourmus beards!

 Trondheim wrote:
Dwarfs because everyone loves beer and heavil armoured and armed lads with enourmus beards!

Not to mention the women's beards! Hoo-eeh!

If you decide to go empire I made my army so cheaply and its not the most competative but I have had my first few games and boy they where close and great games too.

http://theimperialpatrol.blogspot.co.nz/2014/02/warhammer-fantasy-how-to-make-army-and.html

There are other sets to do it but I chose that because I like muskets.

I think if you like Vampire counts then go with that but remember that a horde army in fantasy is way more models than 40k usually.

I voted for empire though. I say this because if you are looking to paint for the joy of painting and not really collect to play (just yet anyways) they have some awesome models. If you are scared to paint skin and bright colours it will just give you a challenge and make you a better painter than you already are.
Also they have more variety in how to paint them in my opinion.

Thanks for the suggestions so far!! Its starting to help me out haha! Still leaning towards vampire counts haha.

I know a horde army is a lot of work but like I said I love having tons of models on the table haha when and if I play. Ill be heading down to my local GW tomorrow so I can take a really good look in person and try and make my final choice!!

For you, I think VC is a pretty clear choice. You say you love the models, which is the best reason to start an army, and you also say you like painting things to a good standard, especially character models. The Vampire Characters stand out at it is in a VC army, so lavishing extra detail on them just adds to that, and VC are a fantastic army for unit fillers, into which you can put your full creative expertise. And they're a horde army, which you said you liked.

It's your choice, but it sounds to me like you're already pretty set on VC.

Dont listen to these Vampire (jk guys)

Go with the Empire!! We have everything that makes fantasy great! Wizards, Knights, Black Powder, and your rank-n-file troops!!

EMPIRE! we can do it all!

 Purifier wrote:

 Trondheim wrote:
Dwarfs because everyone loves beer and heavil armoured and armed lads with enourmus beards!

Not to mention the women's beards! Hoo-eeh!

YES YES OH YES!

That and awesome cannons, and we dont like the new fangeld things that comes along, pluss we distrust Elfs

 Trondheim wrote:

 Purifier wrote:

 Trondheim wrote:
Dwarfs because everyone loves beer and heavil armoured and armed lads with enourmus beards!

Not to mention the women's beards! Hoo-eeh!

YES YES OH YES!

That and awesome cannons

Psht whatever we have the coolest cannon in the game GO EMPIRE!!!

I'm voting for vamp counts. The modeling possibilities are limitless with them. You can kitbash the zombie box with what ever infantry models you like or even just paint them all dead like. Also if you go skeleton horde, buy the VC skeleton box of 10(for the first rank or two) and the TK box of 16. The Tomb King bits are just an upgrade sprue to the generic skeleton plus you get a ton of tombstones to use for unit fillers. Saves some cash.

There is also a box of 30 skellies made by wargames factory for 20USD. I cant vouch for their quality though.

 Opeth30 wrote:
I'm voting for vamp counts. The modeling possibilities are limitless with them. You can kitbash the zombie box with what ever infantry models you like or even just paint them all dead like. Also if you go skeleton horde, buy the VC skeleton box of 10(for the first rank or two) and the TK box of 16. The Tomb King bits are just an upgrade sprue to the generic skeleton plus you get a ton of tombstones to use for unit fillers. Saves some cash.

There is also a box of 30 skellies made by wargames factory for 20USD. I cant vouch for their quality though.

I actually never thought of using TK skeletons. They are a bit better value haha! I do love skeletons and zombies haha! As for the wargames factory I`ve read reviews on the skeletons and apparently they are quite finicky and seem quite delicate compared to the GW products (which I think look better anyways)

roll a dice, that usually lets you know which one you actually want - regardless of what the dice says

Well after sitting at GW for a while I decided to go Vampire Counts!! I picked up a box of zombies just because I love the models! So much character haha! I think it will be an excellent army to paint, looks like a lot of fun!

And while I was there picked up some more orks haha! Can never have enough lol. Painboy and storm boyz

40KNobz11 wrote:
Well after sitting at GW for a while I decided to go Vampire Counts!! I picked up a box of zombies just because I love the models! So much character haha! I think it will be an excellent army to paint, looks like a lot of fun!

You can have a lot of fun with zombies. As long as the base size is regular infantry you can use models from other armies as well!! So if you want to paint some flashy Empire state troops just give them rotting skin or even dwarf warriors and boom!! you have zombies!!

Ya they are fantastic models! A Lot of fun to build, ive painted a few so far! What should be next in my collection? Considering just picking up the vampire counts battalion?
Thoughts?