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.

So yes, this is another of those, I am new, not sure what to buy. Posts.

I've spent the past two weeks just reading these forums (very helpful)

My main issue is mostly the warhammer fb army books that maybe getting redone now or soonish. I suppose in 40k when there was a new book there was not much change, but it seems that whenever a new warhammer fantasy book comes out (from what I have read) several units get scrapped and several new models get made. I am loathe to buy models and find out they are utterly useless in any legal form of warhammer fantasy tournies.

So is the general consensus that Lizards, Skaven, Dwarves and possibly Beasts of Chaos are getting books in the 2009 Feb-Apr? Also does this mean that every two years you guys basically scrap half your armies and go buy new units? Talk about pricey.

Okay on to armies. I am going to list every army I am considering playing, pro's and con's and hopefully experienced players can discount or confirm my ideas. In 40k I played Tau, I liked the firepower, not sure what I want this time around.

The list

Skaven:
Pro's-Lots of units. I like hordes.
Con's-Everyone plays skaven? Seems to be the most popular Warhammer Fantasy army, I could be mistaken of course.

Wood Elves
Pro's-Good archers and stealth.
Con's-From reading tactics it seems that the archers arn't really that good and don't actually kill much. Rather it seems most people rely on tree spirits and dryads.

Beasts of Chaos
Pro's-Neat look, very savage.
Con's-Don't seem to be the best at anything but rather just good at several things.

Warriors of Chaos
Pro's-Very nice models, excellent close combat
Con's-They are new? So some of rules may not be as hammered out as others.

Ogres
Pro's-Big, brutal, they have a unit called "butcher"
Con's-I really like hunter unit, who seems pretty useless compared to Tyrant. Perhaps overplayed.

Tomb Kings
Pro's-Numbers, and archers, neat.
Con's-Anti Tomb King vibe? They seem to be blocked out of certain tournaments for some unknown reason.

I realize in a game this popular with eleven or so armies there will be alot of rinse repeat. However I'd rather not show up at games workshop and end up playing skaven v skaven 4 times in a row everytime. (every tournament or casual game has had 3 -4 skaven players, compared to the 1-2 of most other factions.)

Feedback welcome here or through pm.

Oh and unlike most people on this bored, I am not the best painter in world so some army that I don't have to detail every little item, maybe good, or maybe not as perhaps I need pratice at details. Don't know

Welcome to fantasy...it is a fantastic game that will challenge you, hopefully, for years to come. Let me start off by tackling a few questions you had

Armies being redone in 2009. GW goes through cycles when they release there armies. By that I mean every 2-3 a different game system is focused on. So Lizardmen are Feb while the next release to finish of the Daemons is out come March than they release 40k stuff for a few months than crappy LoTr. We will not see all those fantasy armies redone come next year. 3 armies is likely but not 4.
Oh yeah and you don't have to scrap half your armies every time they redo a army. They'll normally redo a couple choices to plastic, a new unit or 2 and MAYBE one unit might get scrapped. Normally something that most people don't play but a few hardcore people do and they try and raise internet hell.


Now I'll try and toss out some thoughts on various armies you listed
Skaven:
In my area I only know of 1 player so not terribly popular where I am Having said that...I expect Skaven will have a major overhaul. In terms of "viable" armies you have 1 basic setup. Which is ratling gun and lighting spam. That's about it. The Plague Court is nasty, but broken, and isn't really legal right now outside of friendly games. They are a horde army w/ some nasty tricks but take work to get them to work and require A LOT of models

Wood Elves: Have a few different options. The tree armies are popular as are some of the elven units. If you want speed...look no further. A all mounted army if fully possible and you can avoid combat until you want to get stuck in for the most part. A lot of people feel that T3 is a handicap but that used to be the norm and is still fine

Beast of Chaos: When the other new Chaos books came out they neutered the Beast book. Removing most of there magic items and the same units that they have...are better in the newer books. Expect a overhaul in at least points and maybe a few new units eventually. They have stated that they have been working on the Beastmen book but no real word on when it might be out. This year perhaps or early next year? Very fun army and ambush is great fun. If your wanting a big beast army I'd suggest....

Warriors of Chaos: Very nasty army w/ potential variety. All mounted army is viable as is 3+ walking CC monsters(Chaos Warriors). You can also run a big monster army quite well w/ this army. There are some very powerful units in this army. Some people complain about some "cheese" but are normally just upset that they have to think more and try new things.

Ogres: Very fun army and very smashy. Fast, hard hitting and brokenly fun magic

Tomb Kings: They are a tricky yet very rewarding army when you get them to work. They normally have 1 turn they need to use magic to get the charge off and right now there are some very sick magic armies out there that can shut it down. Still a great looking army but does require you to think

in regards to your post about wood elves, the archers are alot better than other armies equivalents for a couple of reasons

they move and fire, which allows you to stay mobile and you do not suffer the -1 penalty for moving making sure you can apply your firepower where you need it in support of the combat element of the army

second, glade guard longbows, suddenly having Str 4 bows makes them kill a hell of alot, they can even take down a knight or two a turn which when compared to archers like High Elf ones for the extra 10pts i think it is you play for them they are 10 times better

also they can move through woods without penalty like the rest of the army meaning you can run and hide should you need to avoid them dying

Wood Elves do take alot of finesse to play, compare them to eldar or dark eldar, fast and hard hitting to boot, but lack of armour means you have to pick your fights in your favour and use your free wood and tree singing spells to maximum effect so you can gang up units to make sure you break them on the charge

on another note, for a beginner i would recommend warriors of chaos, they are a very forgiving army and have alot of options for you to try out as livingregret pointed out if you want an army to begin with they would be a great choice, also new codex means its not changing for a while so you can learn your army before moving on to pastures new

Be careful with Glade Guard Longbows. You need to get in short range to use that STR 4
bow, but at least move and fire and stand and shoot should give you a few extra shots
with that STR 4.

Thanks for the info everyone. Based on the feedback I think i'll give warriors of chaos a try and see how I like them.

They seem new, so no need for new models in next 3 months (maybe), and they seem to be newbie friendly.

As I stated my only two concerns with Warriors of Chaos, is one, they are kinda flavor of monthish as another player said, but I guess every army was new at one point.

Second concern is I see a number of faq's regarding WoC rules but I guess long as i'm at a games workshop store I can have one of them help explain it to me.

Thanks

Warriors of Chaos actually don't currently have a FAQ out(on the GW website) and you won't need new models any time soon...sure they might release the new sculpt or model now and again but nothing should be redone anytime w/ in the next few years. Hope the eludes some of your worries