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What's the basic starting point for about 1000 pts of codex SM? I've a bunch of unpainted plastic SM, Scouts, Termies and some characters. Only vehicles are two rhinos and Dreadnoughts. My problem isthere are so MANY choices I don't know where to begin and how to arm them, which is slowing my progress on assembling and equipping the figs. Assuming a list that needs to take on all comers and hold it's own if not win every battle, where should I start?

I was thinking of scouts with shotguns, squads with 7 -8 Bolters, a Flamer, maybe a ML, and a sgt with power weapon and pistol. Then regular Termies, and getting lightening Claws for another Termie squad, paint the two Rhinos, an AoBR Captain (but no idea where to start equipping him). Maybe consolidate my four ML into a hvy support?

Any thoughts appreciated...

Basic tac squads should go 10man with flamer/missile launcher. Don't give the sarge any upgrades. Either go with bolter/bp or chainsword/bp.

Dreads are a solid choice. What I did with mine was go multi-melta/storm bolter black reach dreads on ebay and then I got the IG aegis defense gun for twin linked auto cannons. Simply drill a 5/32 hole in the middle of the dual auto cannon and it slips right over the 'shoulder' peg of the sm black reach dread.

Don't purchase rhinos. Spend $5 US more and get razorbacks. They will double as a rhino or razorback.

Don't go with tactical termies, go straight to assault termies.

For an HQ, I highly recommend the simple librarian. If you get a chaplain, make sure you play/model him after cassius. Best 25pt upgrade to a chappy ever.

Forget devastator squads. For shooting heavy support, go with either dakka preds or ac/las preds.

For fast attack, I recommend either attack bikes or even better, typhoon missile launcher land speeders.

What are dakka preds?

With the new Initiative rules, I was thinking that lightening claws would be the way to go, altho I like having some firepower on the Termies just in case. I've 32 termies (20 from AoBR and 12 from Space Hulk) so plenty of figs to field.

I actually got Chaos Rhinoes bc I like the bits.

My characters are the Sgt Telion fig, 4 AoBR captains and the Termie characters from Space Hulk. But how should I equip them? I could certainly modify one to look like a librarian.

Dakka preds are predators with ac turret and heavy bolter sponsons.

Assault termies are where the money is at. I don't know what to do with tactical termies.

Librarian in termie armor is fine.

Aman wrote:What are dakka preds?

With the new Initiative rules, I was thinking that lightening claws would be the way to go, altho I like having some firepower on the Termies just in case. I've 32 termies (20 from AoBR and 12 from Space Hulk) so plenty of figs to field.

I actually got Chaos Rhinoes bc I like the bits.

My characters are the Sgt Telion fig, 4 AoBR captains and the Termie characters from Space Hulk. But how should I equip them? I could certainly modify one to look like a librarian.

Last week I tried TH/SS terminators for the first time. Four out of five died in closecombat before they got to attack. And they were tho ones chargeing. Although three died against Chaos Lord with I5 so it wouldn't been much better with lightning claws.

This week a new try with assault terminators. Perhaps with 2 TH/SS and 3 Lightning claws. (and a new set of dice )

Maybe a Termie character would do the trick? Can really help sometimes if the dice are against you.

The Space Hulk Termies are very characterful, look like they'll be a lot of fun to paint up. I can get lightning claws from a bits shop. Hopefully the AoBR Termies can be modified with them.

Aman wrote:Maybe consolidate my four ML into a hvy support?

Dev Squad: This is exactly what I did as I don't like to have 8 bolters and a MG sit quietly while one ML shoots a tank. That's just a waste of fire power, IMHO. I'd wait to bring a Dev crew though, until higher point games, and when you do, just go 4 MLs and and 3 ablative SMs, that is, 7 or 8 total models.

Several of imweasel's suggestions are good. Where I diverge:
PFist for the sergeants.
Meltagun instead of flamer (if you have the bits)

Aman wrote:I was thinking of scouts with shotguns, squads with 7 -8 Bolters, a Flamer, maybe a ML, and a sgt with power weapon and pistol. Then regular Termies, and getting lightening Claws for another Termie squad, paint the two Rhinos, an AoBR Captain (but no idea where to start equipping him).

Otherwise:
Scouts: Either all sniper rifles *OR* equip with bp/ccw and one packs a meltagun and use Outflank. Shotguns are the worst option.
2 tacticals - mg, PF & MultiM or MissileL
rhinos each (and yeah, the CSM rhino is the better buy for the bits to make objective markers and terrain features).
Termies: TH/SS is the flavor of the month (well, year, edition ) and they *are* good. But a good player can make StormBolter/PFist termies work.
Simple Libby is best for 1k. Termie libby has an Invuln Save ( at least for PerilsotWarp.)

This is pretty much the 1k list a FrequentOpponent is using right now. I've been beating it, though.

Skip the pf on the sarge.

The melta suggestion is just fine.

Everything else is flavor to taste.

I was thinking of the PW on the Sargent just in case they meet a hard target - at least one in the squad would pose a threat. With melée being IN order, I don't know the Sargent will survive to use the PF - what's the benefit to high ST but strikes last vs IN4 ignores armor?

With 32 Termies I thought I'd start with vanilla SB and PF, but a guy at the FLGS just won Templecon with 36 Deathwing Termies TH/SS. A 3+ Invuln is pretty sweet at same price. Ten are 400 pts, however...

Before you invest more and glue you need to decide if you want a close combat force, shooty, or right in the middle.

I run
Librarian, 2 dreads with Plasma and arm, 2 rhinos, 3 tactical squads of 10 (missile launchers, flamers) you have a choice to arm the tac squads with multi meltas if you want for free, 1 Landraider, 1 Pred (dakka), and 5 terminators. All for 1500 pts. I have fun with this army and I love how versitle the tac squad is.

I like an army that I have options with. If you play with your friends put weapons on your guys that you like. You could always tell your friends what weapons they have if you change your mind. If your unsure just go with the stock option like for example the tac squad will be bolters, missileL, Flamer and chainsword for Sgt. Keep your armys cheap so you can afford upgrades like termy armor for your Librarian or even a storm shield. I like shooty termys but I do know that many like Assault type. Make your models look the way you want b/c you could always just state what they have. for example I have termys armed with storm bolters but If I want to play them as Assault all I have to do is state it from the beginning. Unless your playing GW tournys who cares, make your models look the way you want. they are too expensive to have them all different ways. One option would be magnets to change out arms but I only do that for my dreadnoughts. Rhinos are great for you tac squads and most people run transport for them. For my scouts I run sniper rifles and a missile launcher, I don't plan on moving them much. All I would have to do is change out one of my tac squads.

Many say I shouldn't run a landraider and termys in a 1500 point army or below but I love the models to much to leave them out. You will learn to go with what you like. If your having fun who cares. Besides Space Marines esp vanilla are durable so you should be fine what ever you choose.