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New to WH40K, have some friends who are into it, and it looks interesting so I decided I'd go in myself. Problem is, I like almost all the armies! (dislike IG, Daemons, Dark and normal Eldar, and Blood Angels (boo space vampires))

Sorry to be kinda annoying for my first (of many) posts, but can anyone give me a general synopsis and info on various races. I mean, something beyond the obvious (Tau are range for example)

Mainly wanting to know the viability of armies, and viability of units. I don't wish to be bogged down with only two or three viable army lists, but don't want something broken either.

If I'm being to vague, please say so.

EDIT: It occurs I should say why I hate those I do.

IG: I don't want an army that appears to have served in WW2.

Daemons: I only like Khorne and Slaanesh, and even then, I feel I'll be stuck with their colors, which bothers me.

Dark and Normal: Space Elves

Blood Angels: Space Vampires

EDIT2: And why I like the others.

Space Marines/Battle Nuns/Daemon Hunters: I like the paladin look, as well as the tanks.

Chaos Space Marines: They just look BADASS, though I admit I dislike some of the more demony (possessed, those big heavy support dudes etc...)

Necrons: I love Egyptian mythology, and it looks like an interesting army, albiet a little repetitive in appearance.

Orks: Vehicles mainly, christ they look awesome! Make me an Ork fort!

Space Wolves: Same likes as normal space marines + vikings.

Tau: I love the vehicles! Don't care for the suits as much (but still like them)

Nids: Monstrous creatures (Trygon especially), and I love the Zerg. Kinda wish they had tanks though (yes, I know that makes NO SENSE)

Right;

Space marines come in several flavours;
-vanilla
-black templars
-dark angles
-blood angels
-space wolves

Vanilla marines are the basic starting army, generally they can do everything. They aren't very specialized but with charaters which give them special rules thus allowing to customize your force you'll have plenty of options. They have all the new toys.

Black Templars are xenophobic, you get no access to libraians and they generally hate aliens. They get the LRC as a dedicated transport for most units and some awesome special rules. Because they are a 3rd ed 'dex they are a tad outdated but they are still playable and enjoyable at that.

Dark Angels are regarded by some people as emo, from a rules stand point they have a right to be. They are a 4th ed 'dex which means they're pretty bland. They get most of the basic units from the vanilla 'dex but lose the new toys, cheap transports and Über awesome special characters. What there is going for them is that 5 man tactical squads can have special weapons, we can take terminators as troops with a cheap special character and we have a possible better variation of the bike squad

Blood angels are a fast assault army. All their vehicles are fast and they can get FC off sanguinary priest who also give feel no pain. They lose one or two new toys but get Matt Wards brand of craziness in the style of flying land raiders, deep-striking land raiders (for dedicated transport) and super special characters that look great at first glance but are pretty terrible actually.

Space wolves are, well... wolves. Like BA but with more crazy on top (they ride wolves, wolves!) You can compare them to vikings really.


Tau are the kings of long range play. They have arguably the best anti-tank gun in the game along with arguably the best basic weapon for troops in the game. They're generally bad in combat and have cool vehicles.

Eldar are the kings (queens?) of mechanized combat. Every unit in their army does one job, and does it well. They have pretty good long range fire power but can get up close and personal destroying you before you hit back. Fragile yet powerful.

Dark Eldar, imagine normal Eldar but sick, twisted and more close combat orientated. Drugs, torture and pain are these guys game but be careful they'll fall apart easily.

Chaos marines are a 4th edition 'dex, a decent one but still quite bland. They do have some cool options over vanilla marines though. You can specialize your army to one of the four gods of chaos (assaulty, shooty, resilient, quick) or run them like vanilla marines on steroids. They lose all the cool new toys that the 5th edition marine dexes have but apart from that they're probably a good choice of army.

Orks are another assaulty race but I'm sure many players on this forum will disagree. As I've been told, they can do anything they want. They have a rather ramshackle nature and as such they're vehicles have a tendency to fall apart easily when under fire but when 30 boyz jump out at you, you know your in trouble.

GK, sisters and the inquisition may be getting new codexes soon. Grey Knights are like expensive marines. Under no circumstances regard them as an assault army. They are a shooting army with above average assault capabilities. Sisters can call down miracles to help them (I'm serious here) and are slightly weaker than marines in some scenes. But they do have some cool units such as tanks which pump out 1-6 S10 Ap1 shoots a turn and they favour the 'holy' trinity of bolter, flamer and melta. The inquisition is well, hard to explain. For more info you can find the two 'dexes for free on GW website.

'Nids are bugs, and you get lots of them, supported by massive creatures. Apart from that I can't say much as I don't know how to describe them well (I've never played or played against them before)

Necrons, well, think of undead. They're slow but if you kill them there is a chance they'll come back again. Like 'nids I have very little experience with them.

Hope these help...

Sisters aren't going to get a new codex any time in the next six months. Grey Knights, however, are.

wizard12 wrote:Right;

Space marines come in several flavours;
-vanilla
-black templars
-dark angles
-blood angels
-space wolves

-chaos space marines
-grey knights

Its really hard to recommend an army to someone...it all depends on what you want. There are several questions to ask...

Do you want to win a lot?
Some armies are plain cheese and known to dominate easily. Some have very specific styles of play, and your gonna get hosed if you stray from it. Some (like Necrons) are in need f a 5th edition update.


Do you have a style of play you like?
Like to move fast n hit hard? Like to fight at range? Up close? Do you like a lot of tank/vehicles? Prefer large numbers of weaker troops or small numbers of better ones?

DO you have a theme that really interests you?
If you do its easy, go with that.

Mad4Minis wrote:Some armies are plain cheese and known to dominate easily

Oh please, don't say things like this.

Newbies will suck no matter what army they have. Don't give them higher expectations of winning just because they picked a certain army. There are far more important things than mere army choice that determines the victors.

wizard12 wrote:Black Templars are xenophobic, you get no access to libraians and they generally hate aliens. They get the LRC as a dedicated transport for most units and some awesome special rules. Because they are a 4th ed 'dex they are a tad outdated but they are still playable and enjoyable at that.

Fixed that for you.

In terms of the viability of the armies and units, I'll offer my insight.

Tau: Reasonably viable army, however not all units are really viable. Ethereal, skyrays, sniper drone teams and vespid all come to mind when I think what sucks hard.

Orks: Very viable army, with nearly nothing in the codex that just outright sucks.

Chaos marines: Viable army, can use thousand sons if you want an egyptian theme. Their dreadnoughts are iffy, same with their overpriced bikes.

Nercons: The army works, it's just the same old stuff over and over again. You need to always have a few things in your army list and there are a few units that don't do so hot. Can't offer much insight into them sorry.

Nids: Viable army, many different ways to play. Only the biovores, pyrovores and harpies come to mind for "Sucks"

Marines: paladin look? You want demon hunters or sisters of battle then.

Space wolves: Good army right now, very popular though.

What I want... that's the issue, I don't KNOW what I want.

I suppose I like the idea of raining down death in overwhelming amounts. Whether it be bullets, lasers, missles etc... as well as the ability to have those "GOTCHA BITCH!" moments when I surprise the hell out of someone (what I liked about nids, seems alot of their stuff can just appear and surprise the hell out of people you're fighting)

Basically, walk into a store, take time looking at models. Also ask the staff, because they generally have full armies painted, but put away. Ask them if you can look at some painted models, particularly what you are interested in (I wasn't sold on the Trygon until one of the staff pulled out their painted model). Being able to hold and look closely at finished models will help a lot.

Then, before you leave, pick an army. Buy something substantial (a HQ and a few troops choices or a battleforce) and some paints, and don't let yourself get distracted.

-Loki- wrote:Basically, walk into a store, take time looking at models. Also ask the staff, because they generally have full armies painted, but put away. Ask them if you can look at some painted models, particularly what you are interested in (I wasn't sold on the Trygon until one of the staff pulled out their painted model). Being able to hold and look closely at finished models will help a lot.

Then, before you leave, pick an army. Buy something substantial (a HQ and a few troops choices or a battleforce) and some paints, and don't let yourself get distracted.

That's my issue, I CANT DO THAT, not because there isn't a FLGS, but because I'm INCREDIBLY picky, and refuse to make a choice till I'm 100% sure.

That and I'm shy as all get out and asking to see models would sound like "Oh, can I..." *runs out*

EDIT: A shyness that is easily overcame if I have something of merit, IE the army I'll march in proudly with and loudly proclaim "CHALLENGE ME!" with.

Another option, is to build multiple smaller armies. This can help you decide which one you want to expand. Though it gets costly with codexes.

Like, make a 500pt Tyranid army. It's small enough that you'll be able to ask for some quick games in the store (and not too expensive - for Tyranids, buy 2 boxes of Warriors (so you have a prime (HQ) and a decent Warrior squad for synapse), 2 boxes of Gaunts, and a Zoanthrope - done, 500pt army you can mess around with). Then build a 500pt Space Marine army. Do the same thing - have some quick games in the store.

The benefit of this is, if you find you like all of the small armies you started, you can slowly add to each of them.

-Loki- wrote:Another option, is to build multiple smaller armies. This can help you decide which one you want to expand. Though it gets costly with codexes.

Like, make a 500pt Tyranid army. It's small enough that you'll be able to ask for some quick games in the store (and not too expensive - for Tyranids, buy 2 boxes of Warriors (so you have a prime (HQ) and a decent Warrior squad for synapse), 2 boxes of Gaunts, and a Zoanthrope - done, 500pt army you can mess around with). Then build a 500pt Space Marine army. Do the same thing - have some quick games in the store.

The benefit of this is, if you find you like all of the small armies you started, you can slowly add to each of them.

I'm not exactly rich XD College student with minimum wage job.

Well, find something to break your purchase paralysis. The thing is, all of the armies are good fun (I know, over the last ~17 years Ive pretty much played them all to some degree), so looking at them when first starting is hard. Honestly, I tend to pick an army based on how it looks rather than how it plays, which is why I went with Tyranids when I got back into the hobby. Forgeworlds stuff really adds to how I want my army to look (like their Hive Tyrants looking like big Warriors).

-Loki- wrote:Well, find something to break your purchase paralysis. The thing is, all of the armies are good fun (I know, over the last ~17 years Ive pretty much played them all to some degree), so looking at them when first starting is hard. Honestly, I tend to pick an army based on how it looks rather than how it plays, which is why I went with Tyranids when I got back into the hobby. Forgeworlds stuff really adds to how I want my army to look (like their Hive Tyrants looking like big Warriors).

Did yah read the first post? XD

I'm basing on looks first, then gameplay. s'why I'm not doing, say, Eldar.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Oh, and I've narrowed it down to four.


Hive fleet Baal, light blue skin, dark blue chitin with white high lights nid army. Focus on GOTCHA BITCH moments w/ Mawloc, Trygon, and Stealers and secondary focus on monsters.

Warboss 'ead Booma, heavy armor Orcs w/ blue for luck. Focus on tanks.

Emperors Hammer, silver and gold Iron Hands second founding space marines, lots of tanks.

Iceworld Cadre, ice world themed Tau, lots of tanks.

Namica wrote:What I want... that's the issue, I don't KNOW what I want.

I suppose I like the idea of raining down death in overwhelming amounts. Whether it be bullets, lasers, missles etc... as well as the ability to have those "GOTCHA BITCH!" moments when I surprise the hell out of someone (what I liked about nids, seems alot of their stuff can just appear and surprise the hell out of people you're fighting)

you want guard, then.

Guard got alot of those missiles.

Brother-Thunder wrote:

Namica wrote:What I want... that's the issue, I don't KNOW what I want.

I suppose I like the idea of raining down death in overwhelming amounts. Whether it be bullets, lasers, missles etc... as well as the ability to have those "GOTCHA BITCH!" moments when I surprise the hell out of someone (what I liked about nids, seems alot of their stuff can just appear and surprise the hell out of people you're fighting)

you want guard, then.

Guard got alot of those missiles.

Ef that, I'm playing a sci-fi based army game. IG to me are just a fancy looking WW2 Era army with some lasers. Zero appeal to me.

Namica wrote:Ef that, I'm playing a sci-fi based army game. IG to me are just a fancy looking WW2 Era army with some lasers. Zero appeal to me.

IG can be anything you can imagine, as long as it involves humans in armor. Check out the elysians from forgeworld for example, they're more sci-fi.

Check out army backgrounds befoire making assumption like that.

Maybe since that is your stance, you might like something out there and technological. Eldar are like that a once great nation of Eldar which was brought itself to its knees and is now struggling to survive, granted they are a fragile class cannon though. But they have many cool options and very futuristic with some awesome psychic abilities.

Or maybe even Tyranids, the hive mind, an endless army with one purpose that will destroy the galaxy.

VikingScott wrote:Check out army backgrounds befoire making assumption like that.

Oh, it's not an assumption, I know I can "make" IG armies to more fit my personal taste, the issue is, making an army like IG with a heavy heavy modern day military theme into something that is more "sci-fi" would require two things.

1. It would require lots of extra parts, and as a new player I lack these.

and

2. Decent use of greenstuff in everything I make. While I do intend on using greenstuff for whatever I do, I'm currently unskilled in it's application, and don't wish to have some ramshackle army of blobs for my first creation as I learn to properly sculpt.

Namica wrote:

VikingScott wrote:Check out army backgrounds befoire making assumption like that.

Oh, it's not an assumption, I know I can "make" IG armies to more fit my personal taste, the issue is, making an army like IG with a heavy heavy modern day military theme into something that is more "sci-fi" would require two things.

1. It would require lots of extra parts, and as a new player I lack these.

and

2. Decent use of greenstuff in everything I make. While I do intend on using greenstuff for whatever I do, I'm currently unskilled in it's application, and don't wish to have some ramshackle army of blobs for my first creation as I learn to properly sculpt.

1. No it doesn't? They use laser weaponry. <.<

2. Why? Are you planning to make them greatcoats? then buy the steel legion or something. Are you planning to make them look armored? Then paint the chest plate a different color as to the "clothy" part of the armor. See that shoulder pad you just painted blue/black/brown/etc? Paint the chest plate and helmet the same color.

You don't have to use a liber amount of greenstuff, you just have to know how to paint, in some cases.

Just go with what looks nice to you. What is most visually appealing. Cause when you are painting you 47th boy and you still have 20 nobz to paint, you better still like what you are painting. I would suggest buying assault on black reach. It will give you some guys to paint (and look at), the rulebook, and your templates. That way you can get going, and really decide who you like. Also, take plenty of time looking at the gallerys here on dakka. There is some great stuff and it really gives you a feel for how the armies look on the table. I can sympathize with the money issue. I'm also a broke college kid, so walking into a GW and looking at the prices gives me a heart attack. Check out ebay and craigslist. I have yet to buy a single full priced model and I have around 1200 points of Space Marines. Just make sure you are wary of what you are buying there.

Tyranids.

Tyrants and Trygons and Mawlocs, oh s t!

Simply put, I'm not playing IG no matter how much it may be suggested. They don't "click" with me. Even if I convert them, it's just not gonna work.

Though I have decided to rule out Space Marines for various reasons, mostly pertaining to over use as well as small numbers.

Now, I never thought I'd ever say this to anyone, but if I were you, I'd stay away from Orks, and here's why:

1. Half the fun is converting them. If you're not interested in converting, there are better armies out there for you.

2. One box of boyz (up to 90 pts) = $22 on GW website. And you need a ton of them to make them work.

Just a coupla things to think about. Bugs also take a lot of money to run well, but they're fun as heck to build and paint. I recommend them, I know exactly what you mean when you say about the monsters--a highlight of games at my FLGS is my friend yelling "GOOD MORNING" every time his trygon pops up. If you decide to do this, I recommend a lictor for the reserve roll bonuses.

MekanobSamael wrote:Now, I never thought I'd ever say this to anyone, but if I were you, I'd stay away from Orks, and here's why:

1. Half the fun is converting them. If you're not interested in converting, there are better armies out there for you.

2. One box of boyz (up to 90 pts) = $22 on GW website. And you need a ton of them to make them work.

Just a coupla things to think about. Bugs also take a lot of money to run well, but they're fun as heck to build and paint. I recommend them, I know exactly what you mean when you say about the monsters--a highlight of games at my FLGS is my friend yelling "GOOD MORNING" every time his trygon pops up. If you decide to do this, I recommend a lictor for the reserve roll bonuses.

Quite the contrary, I'm looking forward to it, already bought green stuff from the first source, as well as a sculpting kit.

I just don't want to convert EVERYTHING like I would end up doing with an IG army.

Namica wrote:


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Oh, and I've narrowed it down to four.


Hive fleet Baal, light blue skin, dark blue chitin with white high lights nid army. Focus on GOTCHA BITCH moments w/ Mawloc, Trygon, and Stealers and secondary focus on monsters.

Warboss 'ead Booma, heavy armor Orcs w/ blue for luck. Focus on tanks.

Emperors Hammer, silver and gold Iron Hands second founding space marines, lots of tanks.

Iceworld Cadre, ice world themed Tau, lots of tanks.

1: Nids have excellent surprise units and you can mass them really easily at the same time. If you want surprise factors, like poof here's a trygon or check your six there's half a ton of genestealers on our flank, nids will suit you well. Nids can also shoot to a reasonable degree.

2: Orks don't really surprise much, unless you like using commandos, but even then massing them has you lacking some other really good units. For fun and random factor, try looking at a big mek with shokk attack gun and a weirdboy, I use both in my ork army and love them. Toss in a mess of boyz, and some other things and you could enjoy it alot. Ork shooting can (<------keyword) also work really well (or fail hard, depends on your rolling)

3: Space marines don't really have much surprise, especially considering the overuse. Maybe drop pod usage could achieve this. In terms of shooting, they can pump out quite a lot. You might like the thunderfire cannon.

4: Tau are a difficult race to play, I honestly recommend them not as your first army. They can pump out shots, but as a whole they can't take too many compared to your other three choices. If it's firepower you want though, this is the right place. I started them as my first army and while I don't regret it, I had massive difficulties at first. You can't go wrong with battle suits, fire warriors, a few markerlights and some hammerheads for killing stuff dead. At least, until it's in melee with you.

Melissia wrote:

Mad4Minis wrote:Some armies are plain cheese and known to dominate easily

Oh please, don't say things like this.

Newbies will suck no matter what army they have. Don't give them higher expectations of winning just because they picked a certain army. There are far more important things than mere army choice that determines the victors.

Ok so tell me this, take 2 equally new players, give one a Tau army, and the other a Blood Angels army. HONESTLY, who do you think has the better chance to win?








Still thinking on it?



I always tell new people, pick what you like first. Unless your one of those I HAVE TO WIN AT EVERYTHING!!!!!! types this will be the best bet for you. Goto www.lexicanum.com and read up on the back stories of the armies you like and go from there. I bet one or 2 will pop out from the rest. Pick one of them and just go crazy. Youll like your army alot more that way

KingCracker wrote:

Melissia wrote:

Mad4Minis wrote:Some armies are plain cheese and known to dominate easily

Oh please, don't say things like this.

Newbies will suck no matter what army they have. Don't give them higher expectations of winning just because they picked a certain army. There are far more important things than mere army choice that determines the victors.

Ok so tell me this, take 2 equally new players, give one a Tau army, and the other a Blood Angels army. HONESTLY, who do you think has the better chance to win?







Still thinking on it?



I always tell new people, pick what you like first. Unless your one of those I HAVE TO WIN AT EVERYTHING!!!!!! types this will be the best bet for you. Goto www.lexicanum.com and read up on the back stories of the armies you like and go from there. I bet one or 2 will pop out from the rest. Pick one of them and just go crazy. Youll like your army alot more that way

I've read the codex's of all the various armies I'm interested in, as well as much knowledge of WH40K. I've been reading the books long before I decided I'd try playing.

Maybe I'll just do nids and call it a day XD