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This is a thread about me trying to pick my next army. It shows my thought process of picking a new army.

I currently have a Dark Angels army with mostly Terminators and Bikes. With the news of the new Space Marine toys and after playing with the army for a while, I realize that this army will stay as my fun army.

This means I need a competitive army. I would like an army that is fun to play, but is still competitive enough to play in a tournament setting.

Here are the top 3 factors that I'm looking for in an army for this situation (in order):

1)Competitiveness
2)Models
3)$ Price

I have 3 ratings for each factor: good, average, and bad.

I already pretty much explained the competitiveness factor. The only other thing I'll say is that I know a lot about certain competitive builds, but I'm by no means an expert. Competitiveness breakdowns are my opinion and if you disagree, you can let me know in the thread. I want to do an army that has models that I like since I'm going to be painting this army and looking at it while I'm playing. Price is always a factor with any army, especially because I'm a student without a job.

Alright, I'll start by narrowing down armies.

I already have Dark Angels and I'm pissed at the new Space Marine codex. Therefore, I'm not going to be doing a MEQ army (IE no Necrons, Space Marines, and Chaos).

I don't want to buy, assemble, and paint a new army only for a new codex to be released shortly after. That eliminates Dark Eldar and Imperial Guard.

I didn't include pure Daemonhunters because I would most likely have to take Grey Knights, which are Space Marines. I didn't include Daemons because I don't think they can be competitive enough for what I'm looking for.

So that leaves the following armies:
Eldar
Inquisition with Allies
Orks
Tau
Tyranids
Witch Hunters

Eldar
Competitiveness – Good. Mechanized isn't as good as it was last edition, but it can still be pretty nasty. Jetbike council lists take nastiness to the next level.

Models – Good. I really like the Eldar models.

Cost – Average to Bad. Regular Eldar lists have a pretty normal army cost, but if I go Jetbike heavy or Jetbike Council it will become extremely expensive.

Inquisition w/ Allies
Competitiveness – ?. I don't know much about Inquisitorial ally lists.

Models – Good. I think Inquisitorial models all look fantastic.

Cost – Bad. Most of the models in the army will probably be metal, making it pretty expensive.

Orks
Competitiveness – Good. No question one of the most competitive armies out there, if not the most competitive. I'd rather not do an army with 100+ boyz, seems boring and a lot of models to paint.

Models – Average. I like the wartrukk models and a few others, but I'm not especially fond of the boyz models.

Cost – Bad. Although the boyz models are plastic, they are very expensive money wise for their points cost. Ditto wartrukks.

Tau
Competitiveness – Average. Tau aren't nearly as good as they were last edition, but I think they can still be competitive with the right build.

Models – Average. I like the Battle Suit models and vehicle models, not so much the Fire Warrior models.

Cost – Average. Fire Warriors are cheap, battle suits are expensive.

Tyranids
Competitiveness – Good. Nidzilla with outflanking Stealers is nasty.

Models – Good. I really like the Tyranid models.

Cost – Good to average. Virtually everything is plastic, but I'd have to either get a lot of Gaunts or a lot of Fexes.

Witch Hunters
Competitiveness – Good. Immolator heavy is nasty but I'd rather not play that (seems boring). I think regular mechanized or foot can still be very good though.

Models – Good. I think Sister models and Inquisitor models are beautiful.

Cost – Bad. Mostly metal models and lots of cheap tanks is expensive.


So Dakka, based on my criteria and analysis, which army do you think I should do?

If you do vote, I would appreciate if you post in the thread to explain your choice.

I dig the look of the Tyranid models and there are a ton of different ways you can go with the army, MC shooty or cc, warrior spam, etc. Plus the cost is about average.

Voted for Orks since you're used to playing with an elite army already.

Cost isn't that bad at all for horde orks.

100 boyz for $180. Black Reach is a good deal too.

I've voted Orks... you've got a recent codex, and heaps of really good new models out now and in the pipeline. As you don't have IG as an option my second choice would be Eldar.

Bugs. They're different.

Voted Tau. Your cost is a bit incorrect, as I've seen suits for really cheap on Ebay, and the boxed set of 9 suits and the added stealth suits is a GREAT buy from GW.

I also voted Tau as I haven't seen them enough lately...definitely need a more thorough showing. Orks are becoming very cliche

I'd say go Eldar though I'm rather biased. Still they fit well with the playstyle of someone used to Ravenwing, hit hard and fast. You can use Dire Avengers in Wave Serpents to do the same thing at least cost monetarily. You also have the nastiest HQ choices out there in terms of sheer flexibility. You'd even have Terminators after a fashion in the form of Wraithguard though I wish to hell that they'd bring back Ghost Warriors (CC Wrathguard). Field of a Squad of 10 (mucho dinero and points) and you can even hold objectives with them ala Deathwing.

Voted Eldar because they can be similar to the play style of you DA army, but with that hardcore competitive edge. Imagine a whole fleet of warriors on on jetbikes and Vipers screeming across the board, overwhelming your opponent with firepower and outflanking their every move.

At least that's how I see it.