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Hey dakka people, I have a question about points. I am trying to build a 500-point SM army, but I am wondering what counts as 500 points. I know I can have something like 493 and call it 500, but can I go over (like 503) and still be ok?

No. 500 points means anything Less than or Equal to 500.

Sometimes when you and a buddy are building lists and you say "I'm 5 points over, is that okay?" they'll usually take a meltabomb or something and everything will be fine. Tournaments you need to be on the dot or below, but at 500 points and being new to the game I doubt that's where you're going.

Yeah, basically, in a competitive environment, points limit and below is fine. Same with if you are just playing a casual game in a GW store with a stranger - don't go over the limit.

With friends, I don't see why they would decide to be an ass and tell you no. My friends and I generally have a 20 point lee-way, though that's pretty generous.

My opinion is, if your list 503 points, you're playing a 503 point battle, not a 500 point battle.

A points limit is just that: you can take any number of points up to and including that number. Going over by three points is completely up to your opponent - allowing it would be essentially the same as just increasing the game's points limit to 503pts rather than just 500pts.

It's also worth noting that those three points might be more than just a simple meltabomb or something taking you over the limit. Those extra points could have been from the inclusion of an extra model which - especially at that points size - may make a big difference.

If I took a 125pt Chaos Lord (Mark of Khorne and power weapon) and 18 bare Khorne Berzerkers, that comes to exactly 503pts. Those three points allowed me to either:
- take a power weapon, which in the game would equate to a much increased killing capacity;
- take the Mark of Khorne, which could have meant the death of an extra enemy per turn of combat; or
- take another Khorne Berzerker, which could have a lot of implications.

In short: don't go over the points limit.

In non tournament play I couldn't care less whether you are 500 or 510 to give a bit of leeway. Tournament/Campaign/Match play 500 or less no sympathy.

Any points over the agreed limit is too many. Even a single point. Doesn't matter if the game is with your best friend, a complete stranger, at home or at a tournament.

Why put your opponent in a position where you expect them to allow you to break the rules? If they fail to live up to your expectation (as in say "no") then you have hard feelings about it. If they say yes, they feel that your pressured them into it.

Don't create a situation where either party might be unhappy, just stick to the rules you agreed to - in this case the points limit.

Dracos wrote:Any points over the agreed limit is too many. Even a single point. Doesn't matter if the game is with your best friend, a complete stranger, at home or at a tournament.

Why put your opponent in a position where you expect them to allow you to break the rules? If they fail to live up to your expectation (as in say "no") then you have hard feelings about it. If they say yes, they feel that your pressured them into it.

Don't create a situation where either party might be unhappy, just stick to the rules you agreed to - in this case the points limit.

Don't be silly if you are playing with a good friend and you just want a fun game do you really care if your friend is 3 points over the limit? If you do then you are too concerned with winning than enjoying the game. Besides according to the BRB in the introduction section players may not just ue points limits but their entire collections

Also agree with most of what the above posters say. Unless your playing with a friend and they don't mind bending the rules you cannot go over the agreed points limit.

I believe no leeway at all. I find it personally a good habit of getting used to being exactly the limit or less. I think allowing yourself to go over is simply getting lazy.
and honestly 5pts can win you a game. what if a SGT destroyed a much needed tank with melta bombs? thus you get assaulted etc etc.

over all even in friendly games I always say don't be sloppy/lazy

well, my friends and I have an agreed upon 10 point lee way...and if all the points are riding on said "very important tank", and you didn't have a back-up strategy, then you might as well have offered your opponent a bottle of lube and grabbed your ankles screaming "Be gentle"....that is what you call epic fail, idiocy, or lack of using your noodle....

and to be honest, I can see where you'd think someone were sloppy/lazy, but if you know what you have, your limits, and an actual pair that you can grab and jangle in someones face, then why not a good challenge every now and then?....after you mop the floor, you have bragging rights....


Automatically Appended Next Post:
and remember....the game is supposed to be F-U-N!

krato123 wrote:well, my friends and I have an agreed upon 10 point lee way...and if all the points are riding on said "very important tank", and you didn't have a back-up strategy, then you might as well have offered your opponent a bottle of lube and grabbed your ankles screaming "Be gentle"....that is what you call epic fail, idiocy, or lack of using your noodle....

and to be honest, I can see where you'd think someone were sloppy/lazy, but if you know what you have, your limits, and an actual pair that you can grab and jangle in someones face, then why not a good challenge every now and then?....after you mop the floor, you have bragging rights....


Automatically Appended Next Post:
and remember....the game is supposed to be F-U-N!

Like

Dude until you play at "500" and the tard you're up against has blatantly spent 215 points more than you it's not a big issue
Sad part is, i still tabled that guy. Then i looked at his list and was like LOL dumbass.

If its tournament play hell no, but in a friendly game, i;ve been in more than one game where the guy was a bit over and i was fine with it. more often than not if they're gonna be a few points over, you can find something to tack on to your guys to make up the gap. or say screw that and see if you can take him!