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Disclaimer/apology: Long time gamer but new to 40k. This is my first purchase & army.

I wanna start out smallish around 1000pt, but I want a build that is a good base for growing up to 1500 and on above 2000.

The idea is a CSM list that is heavy on the shooty side. And I want to use the figs that I like the looks of and that looks like fun to build/mod/paint (DP, termies and noise marines).

So this is what Im planning to buy. What Im not sure of is if its a good balance. Once the lovely toys arrive and I start building+painting comes the next question: How should I equip them??

1x DP + wings (warp and bolt of change?)
2x Noise Marine box (gives me 16 figs not sure how many to bring to the table though)
2x Obliterators
2x Terminator box (thats 10 figs and Ill use em all with 2 power fists and 2 reaper autocannons)

Any and all help much appreciated.

thats a pretty good start to an army. buy the codex and then work out some specific points costs.

if you give all the noise marines sonic blasters (which you should) the army as it stands comes to about 1125 and it will shoot most other armies to peices. the demon prince is very expensive but he is very good if you use him properly, but if you havent been playing for long it may take a bit of time to learn the best way to use the stuff youve given him.

to expand try and add a few more of obliterators and some more cult marines (thousand sons are very good)

Yea Im afraid I wont quite know how to use the DM yet, but the fig is awesome and everywhere I read people suggest him over the other HQ choices. And it will be so much fun building him and modding on the wings. I thought Id go with bolt of change on him since its got ok range which fits in with the rest of my shootemup strategy.

I bought the codex for CSM and for tyranids. Couldnt decide what army to build. But since Im building a chaos warhound I thought Id continue the chaos theme.

Yea, Ill be adding more oblits and probably another unit of termies. Been thinking about adding another unit of cultists and not sure if I should go with PMs or Sons. Which is more suitable for the shooting strategy?

Once Ive got more games under my belt itll be easier to figure these things out. Thanks for all the help!

Here's a quick little list using the models you're set to buy. I came as close to 1000 as I could but hit a stumbling block with those last 30 points ...

HQ
Demon Prince - MoT, wings, warptime, bolt of change = 200

ELITES
10 Terminators - IoCU, 2 reaper autocannons, 2 powerfists = 380

TROOPS
6 Noise Marines - 6 sonic blasters = 150
6 Noise Marines - 6 sonic blasters = 150

HEAVY SUPPORT
Obliterator = 75
Obliterator = 75

TOTAL
1030 points

To make it to 1000 I think the big prince is going to have to be broken up some, as I can't see much of the rest changing too much. If you change the prince for the cheaper and fluffier (but less shooty) --

Demon Prince - MoS, wings, warptime = 160

-- than that leaves you 10 points to make a terminator a champ or add in a 3rd fist (which I would do myself). 1 less BS5 S8 shot (and no 4+ inv) but now she's Init 6 and still killy in combat, and you can fit in 1000.

- Salvage

A lash prince might work better with a shooty build. Since his main focus is going to be counter assault he should concentrate on bringing the enemies troops out of cover and into nice blast formations, or he should be pushing assaulty bits that you don't want hitting your line further away(and also inot nice blast formations outside of cover he he!). You only need the tzeench mark and warptime if you plan on throwing him into combat early and often imo.

The box only comes with one sonic blaster and one blast master. At this points level definatly do not go for the blast masters just yet. As soon as you get a vehicle it will come with the vehicle upgrade sprue ... that has some gargolye mouths meant to replace the lascannon and heavy bolter barrels. Replace regular bolter barrels and you have instant sonic blasters. Your first friendly games this won't be an issue but in order to make your noise marines unique from the basic marines you will want to eventually get them converted both for the cool look of the figure and to meet wysiwyg.

Meph

Thanks a lot for all the comments!!! And that list is very helpful Salvage. Thx!

If Im gonna bring this list up to 1500 and then to 1750, what should I add? More oblits is my frist choice, and then more termies. Or cultists instead of termies? When is it time to add another HQ? When Im at 1750 or 2000?

And again, what are the best choice for a shooty army: PMs och Sons? Or a third unit of noise marines? Yet another option is just staying at 2 units of troops and not go for a third.