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Angels of Death789 wrote:It confuses me why so many people these days get Imperium armies. Is it because they are the humans? Is it because people think there cooler? I DONT KNOW! And thats where you come in.

Says the poster with an Imperial avatar...

I play many armies, though IG is my primary, I also have Tau, Eldar, Chaos Marines, Daemonhunters and Sisters of Battle along with Tyranids. There are certain things Imperial armies do that other armies do not do. No army fields tanks like the Imperial Guard (well...except Blood Angels now apparently, but that's a different issue...) or guns like the Imperial Guard or can do the same visual range of models as the Imperial Guard.

Just because armies are Imperial doesn't mean they don't have their own uniqueness, aside from the multitude of unnecessary loyalist marine books.

Vaktathi wrote:Just because armies are Imperial doesn't mean they don't have their own uniqueness, aside from the multitude of unnecessary loyalist marine books.

So everyone's fluff counts except Space Marines, because they're the Devil?

AlmightyWalrus wrote:

Vaktathi wrote:Just because armies are Imperial doesn't mean they don't have their own uniqueness, aside from the multitude of unnecessary loyalist marine books.

So everyone's fluff counts except Space Marines, because they're the Devil?

No, Space Marines count, just don't need each individual color scheme to have it's own book is all

I first bought necrons, bought and sold a khorne army. Bought and partially sold a tyranid army.

IG eventually sold me with the Valkyries. I've always loved drop ships, even though it isn't really how they play.

I ended up turning all my IG into swamp zombies. I don't know why.

It's difficult to support something you aren't. None of us are elves, green, blue, spiky, or mutants. Pure and simple.

People become interested in the first army based on what looks cool since they only learn the rules later. Most of the time that is going to be space marines. Honestly it is just the GW has just done such a crappy job of making the other factions cool it is amazing they get as much play as they do.

In D&D non-humans are far, far more popular then actual humans because they are basically humans +. Most of them are relateable despite being non-human with cool backstories, atmosphere, stand out characters etc. etc. on top of tons of style infused by loving D&D artists. GW has this "Aliens should be so alien we can't understand them" sort of view point which makes a lot of the Xeno armies unrelated. Most Xeno's have unclear single minded goals and lack stand out individuals to exemplify why the army is awesome. How many people get excited by the Tyranids plans to eat everyone? Captain Planet villains are deeper than that. How many people want to play as Old One Eye because they their he is a really cool character? 0.000000009%

Personally I think the boxy space marine armor is an awful design that really should be updated but I'm in the minority and might have to do with the fact I was first exposed to Mass Effect before 40k and have a strong preference for the sleeker power armor look in mass effect. (Terminators I don't mind so much as they are supposed to be bulky.)

Additionally power armor's +3 save is absolutely a factor. Space marine's feel powerful. When you play nids or orcs, you have to be ready to sacrifice waves of your own troops to bring down a marine unit. That doesn't feel epic to most people compared to the marines who often times take down many times their own number before falling. Better yet Xeno's have a clear weakness like how the Tau can do CC while marine's have no obvious weakness. They are really strong in almost all areas defense, CC, attack, weapon options, vehicle options, FoC options etc. etc. only generally checked by their point cost and numbers. That counts for a lot.

Space marines not only are heavily promoted, iconic (which I'll admit even if I find them ugly), powerful and with a play style that has wide spread mass appeal compared to most Xenos. The deck is just stacked heavily in their favor and unless they would reboot 40k I just don't see that changing and really why would GW want to? The Xeno's exist solely to give the Imperium something to fight. GW could probably change the setting to an Imperium civil war and get ride of Xenos all together if they wanted and still keep their sales going.

xole wrote:I first bought necrons, bought and sold a khorne army. Bought and partially sold a tyranid army.

IG eventually sold me with the Valkyries. I've always loved drop ships, even though it isn't really how they play.

I ended up turning all my IG into swamp zombies. I don't know why.

It's difficult to support something you aren't. None of us are elves, green, blue, spiky, or mutants. Pure and simple.

None of us are 7 foot tall genetically engineered superhumans either, but people support the 2 hearted marines all the same.

Really iom is most played because it has the most codex. Interestingly while everybody likes to play marines, often they don't want to play against marines. Marinehammer is pretty boring to look at, and people much prefer to watch their heroes fight against a chaos or Xenos onslaught rather than yet another civil war. This creates a higher demand on xeno players because the marine players would rather play them than eachother. Its an interesting dynamic.

I would say part of it is sheer volume of imperium Codexs, there are 14 current codexs out there and 6 of them are imperium, and some of the cheaper armies to start are imperium.

AlmightyWalrus wrote:

Phragonist wrote:3+ armor save. I GUARANTEE if space marines had a 4+ or worse armor save that wayy less people would use them

I guarantee that you're wrong.

Who cares about the 3+? I hate the damn power armor anyway. I collect marines for three reasons: Scouts (I like the way they look and converting them is fun), bolt weaponry (converting different kind of bolters is also one of my favorite things to do in the hobby and I like the look of them also), rhino chassis tanks (especially the predator... it happens to be the best looking vehicle in 40k in my opinnion). I usually only field a single man in the entire force who is wearing a power armor (that being the captain).

I do also collect Dark Eldar though. The current models are awesome... and I kinda like the "elf" stats more.

Lynata wrote:
I would do Dark Eldar if they were less insane and more like Drow. I love Drow!

It wouldn't take that much work, would be interesting to see how the look, oh and aye, big fan of the Drow myself, most Dark Elves in general tbh. Not that the Name/Av gives that away or nothin.


As to the op question. I think its just more folks pick up Marine armies than much else. Xenos players are low in number overall, its just nice to face them. If you want to see how shocking the difference is go to a tournie with one hundred or so players. Then you'll see how wide the gap is.

For me I just love the Guard, and as I have Guard, I have always tended to have other IoM forces for massive games. Of course thanks to the new allies system, this makes it even more convenient and already I have a small Space Wolves force where a month ago there was none. (GW knew exactly what it was doing ) Will probably pick up Sisters whn they go plastic as well.

Although on saying that I have always had a massive soft spot for the enemies of the IoM. Its why I have a Large Orks army, have had five Chaos armies in the past and will probably do so again. Have had Eldar and Tau previously as well.

Of course a fair few of us have more than one army anyways.

For me, the IOM is just so much cooler from a conversion standpoint. I mean there really isn't much you can do to a tyranid to make it unique other than a decent paintjob, same with Eldar and DE; the Tau have only a lil conversion potential but that is mainly with their battlesuits. But the IOM is so widespread fluff-wise that you can basically convert your army any way that you want and it will still look like it belongs. For example my IG uses armor and vehicles that are a lil more advanced looking than your average cadian army and all I do is explain that they came from a relatively rogue forge world with access to some lost STC Templates.

But for most of my friends they like the IOM because they think there is more flavor to the armies, like one likes Space Wolves because they are "vikings in space" But it really all comes down to what the individual likes about an army, like my sister is a big fan of orks because like the IG you can make them however you want them, you want pirate orks you can have them (actually thats here favorite concept ever since I painted Kapitan Badrukk for her as a Christmas present)or if you want biker gang orks you can have that too.

TLDR- IOM has plenty of room for a player to make an army their own, orks are also popular for that same reason. But the other factions are kind of limited in comparison.

I got the ultramarines because that's who I think I identify with most. I like their policies, I like their colors and armor, I like the way they do things. I was pretty set on an imperial force from the start because I'm an imperialist, and I like the idea of a huge oppressive uncaring empire that spans the galaxy and burns down anyone who looks at them funny. I love the cold hearted evil way they deal with anyone who isn't imperium and I love the way they think. Its a thick headed approach of brute force, that works because they have limitless resources to throw at the problem.

person one: "We're going to take the planet back from the enemy"
person two: "how are you going to do that?"
person one: "we're going to kill them all "
person two: "yea, how were you going to manage that?"
person one: "with a gun!"

I have to say, I like the idea of Imperium. It just feels like some great Tragic Shakespearian Play or Nordic Saga. We are the Humans, a Race who's light has burned very bright in 30k and is now about to be extinguished in 40k.

It's nice to play the tragic Heroes going down fighting. All the Imperium's Enemies I cannot really identify with, Dark Eldar, Tyranids etc. This is probably why I like Dan Abnetts gaunt Ghost series, because he describes the Blood Pact etc as the Arch-Enemy rather than Chaos traitors or cultists.

The real heroes aren't the Astartes, it's the humble Guardsman with a Flashlight and big pair of brass balls, fighting for humanity. This is why I love the imperium.

My opinion is that GW paints them as the best army, "Play Dramatic Music for Emphasis" It is the 41st century, there is only war, the super human Space Marines and the endless hordes of the Imperial Guard are all that stands between us and the Alien skum and evil Chaos... End music...
I think that is why...
I personally would love to see it be more even, but until that emphasis changes (which it won't) and everything is kept up to date or all codexes released with each new edition like other game systems (which it won't happen), Space Marines and imperium forces will be the norm.... Cheers

It human nature.

Why do most kids play cowboys in cowboys and indians?
Who likes playing the Nazi's in axis and allies?
Small percetages like playing healers in WOW vs being DPS.

I want to be fully immersed within the universe and so I just find the Imperium better to relate to.


Edit: Also I like to pick armies which relate to my personality. Such as thinking honour is an essential part of life and so love space marines.

Human Factions are infinitly more relatable then a giant fungal/animal monster that yells WAAAAAAAAGH! or a Robotic Egyption ZOmbie in Spehss.

Even though Space Marines are 7 foot tall genetically and technologically altered beings they are based on the human form given god like proportions and is still relatable.
The Imperial Guard are Human Beings in every way shape or form and are often similar to current cultures on Earth or of CUltures of coutrys during different periods of history. That and them being nothing more then a mere mortal man (or woman) given nothing but a glorified laser pointer and a kevlar vest with balls of adamantium as standard issue gear is very admirable and brings alot of fans.

They are easy army to learn with and marines are in every starter box. Its much easier to build an army once its already started, that's why they were my first army also.

AlmightyWalrus wrote:Orks are just as easy TBH, paint green, wash with Badab Black (or whatever that new one's called). Fix eyes and metallics and you're done.

Unless you're an idiot like me and think that bloodaxes are awesome. Stupid camouflage

Two words.... Rogue trader.

IOM have been there from the start, it was what the whole 40k scene started/revolved around... There were hardly any xenos, except orks

And what young boy doesn't want to stomp around in big suits of powered armour when they're big?! Haha

Because Imperial armies account for HALF of all the available armies in 40k?

I liked Catachan Guard, how they looked and how they fight. I play BFG and had a Chaos fleet, so I got into Chaos Marines, and the starts I got had Marines so I started playing that...and I thought SOB were badasses...so..thats why i play all human lol. But I got stacks of Dark Eldar and Orks from the starters.

Kris Knives wrote:People become interested in the first army based on what looks cool since they only learn the rules later. Most of the time that is going to be space marines. Honestly it is just the GW has just done such a crappy job of making the other factions cool it is amazing they get as much play as they do.

... How many people get excited by the Tyranids plans to eat everyone? ...

That's just not true. At least for me. I picked my army based on their rules. Also, if you're going based on looks, a lot of the other factions look more cool than generic boring space marines.

I'm not big into the fluff, at all, and Tyranids plans to eat everyone does excite me. It lets me know 100% of their fluff without actually reading anything, and I can role play them in character vs someone else in character.

Space Marines: "blah blah, the emperor, astartes blah blah"
Tyranids: "I don't care. I'ma eat you lol"

cause that's how I feel. I dont care about your fluff, i just want to eat you. lol.