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Hey Dakka, lately I've been browsing a variety of armies, and to be honest I really can't make up my mind on what to play. At first I started this series of flings with the Daemon Hunters. A nice elite looking army, but their outdated codex was what really ruined the relationship. Then I spotted the Eldars and their sleek designs and race of women. A smooth strategy of matching up their units with what they rocked at, but then I realised they were men and jumped ship. (I just found it kind of boring...strategy wise actually) Then I spotted the space marines and thought I had it made. Updated codex, interesting fluff, and they seemed fairly easy to paint. It was then I realised that at 1,500 point level they just didn't have as much to play around with...strategy wise. My latest infatuation, which is still blooming, are the Imperial Guard. An army that can bring a lot of units at a low point cost and makes me feel like I'm playing a real strategy game, however, they are only human and therefore weak.

So all in all I'm just looking between the Space Marines and Imperial Guard, and just wondering which one can bring more to the table - in terms of power and fun(I know fun is subjective)- at a 1,500 point level.

Well, power wise, Space marines have more power all around, for sure. But I just got back from a game night at my FLGS, having been thoroughly thrashed by my IG opponents Leman Russes. A tank heavy IG force has a lot of firepower, and can put out a ton of units with squadrons and whatnot.

Space marines definitely do better at higher point levels, as they are more expensive point wise across the board. Once you get around the 1750-2000 point range, SM can really shine, as that's an ample budget to bring their firepower to the table.

I started with IG, but got turned off by how ineffective they felt to me. So now I've built up Space Marines. People say SM are more forgiving, but I'm not so sure. Sure Space Marines have the 3+ save, but if you have a bad night dice wise, losing a few Marines hurts. IG is a whole other kind of forgiving. You can lose a few Guardsmen and barley even notice.

Right now the IG have the stronger builds.

SMs are a good, forgiving army to start with, but IG aren't especially tough to figure out either.

Any IG list that has some Vendettas, Troops in Chimeras, and some sort of pie plates (Russes, Manticores, Medusas are all popular) should do fine for you. Veterans were the initial powergaming choice, but it sounds like lately people are seeing the virtues of the infantry Platoon with Special Weapon Squads. I lean towards Veterans.

Hmm...so I guess with an IG list you just really want to avoid CC...right?


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Oh, and if I get the Imperial Guard I'm probably going to paint them with a Star Wars type scene, and by that I mean the 501st. Bad idea? Good idea? Maybe go for the intimidation factor of facing Vader's fist? >:O


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Also, is it still point effective to ally the Guard with...let's say Daemon hunters?

You don't necessarily have to avoid CC, but you have to be prepared to commit to it totally, and aggressively. The "tactic" for IG CC is to use combined infantry squads or conscript squads at full strength. Don't expect to kill alot of enemies in one assault phase. Rather, the goal is to heap so much infantry against the opponent's assaulters that it takes them many turns to wade through the whole group. You then throw in some well equipped (i.e. power weapons) Ministorium Priests and Commissars to actually give the mob some firepower when they hit back.

Of course, it can be much simpler to avoid CC, using "gunline" tactics. Consider having a few Ogryns to provide some CC defense.

Ogryn are pretty bleh though as CC troops go. I wouldn't bother. Grey Knights termies are your CC workhorses ;-)

Actually, shooty guard don't mind cc. Just wrap your shooty unist with expendable troops. Watch them disappear when assaulted. Now make the assaulters dissappear with firepower :-D It's the whole speed bump not tarpit idea. CC troops want to stay in CC during your turn so they cannot be shot- don't let them.

I suggest picking an army that you think looks the coolest.
You will be spending tons of hours painting and modeling. Make sure its models that you really like the look and feel of.

If you pick an army that has the most powerful 'dex, then your army will continue to weaken in relative power as new 'dexes are released.
Your satisfaction with the army will also decrease, and you will be lured into spending a lot more $$$ on the latest codex.

If you pick an army that has the models you love, your love of the army will never fade.

Hmm the Guard sound like a challenge, I think I'll enjoy that. As for money? Well I can always save up xD Thanks for the all the advice.

Marines are fun, but the problem is you can lose, alot. Any experienced player can table your beginners 1500 marine army in 3 turns, because he's done it 1000 times before, and you haven't. That applies to any army, but SM are very prone to it, because there so many of us.

Ah, I assumed that might be the case with Workshops poster boys.