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I have a friend who has enquired about 40k and shows an interest in starting.
Does anyone have suggestions as to how to introduce him to 40k without the price or complexity scaring him away?

Do what I do.... bring him out when you go to play other people, and let him try his hand at it. If he enjoys it, then you act on it from there.

He particularly likes 40k but I could try talking about fow and warmachine but the trouble is I don't know that much about them. :-(

I think I might play an introductory game.

Invite him over, start very small.

When I was most recently introducing a friend, I gave her a squad of 10 SM (split into combat squads) with flamer and heavy bolter.

I took two squads of Guardsmen with one plasma gun each, so the point values were about equal.

She learned about weapon types (rapid fire, heavy, assault), templates, and how to use cover to avoid the plasma guns' AP2.

The game ended cinematically when I wanted to teach her assault, so I moved my last 9 Guardsmen (both plasma gunners had died to Gets Hot!) up to her last marine, the heavy bolter guy, and she assaulted. Round one nothing, round two nothing, round 3 she killed on Guardsmen and forced a morale test which they failed, and then she caught the other 8 in a sweeping advance.

The second game, I don't remember the exact lists I chose, but I introduced transports by way of chimeras/rhinos and blasts by way of a Leman Russ.

Both time we didn't keep track of turns or do objectives or anything, just tried to table each other.

Her third game was a real game - I still picked the list for her, but it was a 2v2 750 point game with some other new players I introduced to 40k.


So, in your case, take Orks and give him SM. Use shooty Orks, preferably, to make it simpler. He'll be delighted when he barely loses any men each turn because of armor saves. Start small like I did, maybe 150 points of infantry only, then do a 500 point annihilation game introducing vehicles (but nothing too complex like Psykers, deep striking, etc)

@ the OP: Do you have a group of people you play with regularly? If so, then that's your in. The social aspect can be a big draw to a new player, and ultimately, it's a game. The idea is to have fun. Teach him the game before he decides to put any money into it, and let him decide if he enjoys the game, or if he just likes the fluff part of it. If he decides he's iffy on the game, then just point him in the direction of the novels. If he digs the novels, he might try again later.

If you want imperial guard I think some of the pig iron system troopers would make for some cool imperial guard. I usually just bring friends inquisitive about the game to my local games workshop and let them get a introductory game in with a staff member. Seems to work every time. Though if your friend doesn't know what he wants to play be sure to show him pics of various games models that might take his fancy. Theyll know whats for them when they see it. Plenty of options using cheaper brand models and 40k-ifying them if your up for the conversion challenge.

http://www.pig-iron-productions.com/st1-system-troopers-basic-infantry-p-49.html

OP get him involved, let him play, use your stuff to teach him, get the others involved that you play with as well. on the hobby side Be nice and show him cheep alternatives to paints (AV being awesome), and other minis as well. (unless you play at a GW store and then you must use GW stuff).

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING: is inclusion. if you want him in, then get him doing.

As much as it pains me to say it, maybe its worth splitting the assault on black reach box with him 50/50.
throw him the rules book and let him pick an army.
That way he can read up on it, while playing small scale games to get the feel of how it all works.
Lets face it, if he doesent like the game, he wont want to pay the prices.
If he gets hooked on it, then im sure price will only be an issue for so long.

Thread re opened, apologies to the OP for what happened. Surgery performed.

I'd show him/her the game by playing a 500 pt battle
with 1 HQ and 2 troops on either side.