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Pure speculation here, but lets take a few things as given...

1. There will be a 6th edition of 40K.
2. There will be a 6th edition starter box.
3. It will contain two plastic forces, one of which will be Marines.

Okay, so what will the other be? For 3rd edition GW packed in the new Dark Eldar, going all out to give that army a push. The 4th edition box contained the relatively new Gaunts and the brand new Genestealers. The 5th edition box was all new models, with a focus on providing orc players with a solid core of troops. So which army will be next?

Tyranids? They already made an appearance in the 4th edition box, and their codex is still fairly recent and not likely to be redone early in the 6th edition cycle. Plus, the basic Tyranid troops are all fleshed out. there just aren't any new models to add in.

Dark Eldar? They've had the spotlight in 3rd edition, and just had a huge release. If they're popular enough we might see plastic Racks, Grotesques and Hemonculi in a starter box, but that just doesn't seem likely to me.

Eldar? Eldar have never been in a starter box, and they're both popular and one of the games classic armies. The plastic Guardians and Dire Avengers have held up very well and don't really need replacing, but plastic Jetbikes, Aspect Warriors and a Farseer/Warlock sprue could really fill out the other half of a starter box. Especially if the new Eldar codex was released alongside 6th edition or shortly after.

Orks? It wouldn't surprise me if Orks see a new codex fairly early in the 6th edition cycle, but I doubt they'll appear in the starter for the 3rd time.

Tau? Tau are getting closer to needing an update, and it would certainly be novel to have two "good" races in the starter. We've heard rumors about new plastic Pathfinders and re-cut Kroot that include Hounds and Krootox. If a Tau codex appears late in 5th it would make a lot of sense for GW to try to boost their popularity by including them in the 6th edition starter.

Imperial Guard/Sisters of Battle/other Marines? It doesn't seem likely that GW would include two imperial forces in the same box.

Chaos Marines? The basic Chaos Marines are kind of... subpar? Crappy looking, actually. They could certainly use a redo. By the time 6th edition comes around the Chaos Codex will certainly need a redo as well. Chaos Marines have always been popular, so it would seem like a safe bet to include them in the starter box.

Necrons. It seems almost certain that Necrons will see a major release before the end of this year. Unless they prove super popular it doesn't seem likely that GW would choose them for the starter box, unless they take the opportunity to pack in new Warrior models (since apparently the old Warrior models are sticking around with the new codex).


So yeah... my guess is Chaos Marines, Eldar or Tau, in that order. What do you guys think?

It'll likely depend on which codex coincides with the release of 6th edition, other than SMs (which always gets released a bit after a new edition). It's not a tradition, since as far as I know that only happened with 5th, but it would be good to get players hooked, as the set would contain two of the most up to date (at the time) books. They wont have to worry about people complaining that the set has one army that is out of date that way.

*Personally*, I think it'd be cool to see one of the following:

Chaos Space Marines & Imperial Guard. You still get the "space marines" starter, just Chaosy. Then you get your "good guys" as the "weeny" horde army opponent. A good mix up of roles and armies, neither of which have ever been in a starter set but which still conform to the basic principle of SM Army vs Hordey Army

Eldar and Necrons: Here we have no SM armies, but we do still have one that's fairly similar in terms of statline and basic weapons. Additionally you get two armies that have never been in a starter set, function differently enough that they aren't too similar but can still cover every aspect of the game (shooting, CC, etc) fairly well.


However, if it *must* be vanilla SPehsE MahREEns against something, the current nemesis, Orks, works really very well and is probably what I'd pick to routinely be their foil in starter sets.

I think it would be cool if it was Space Marines vs. Chaos Space Marines due to the popularity of the Horus Heresy books.

Grey Knights and Daemons

Themed starter sets would be nice, especially if they can recreate some epic battle. The best, though, would be to take the two underdog codexes and give you one troop choice and something else to fill out points until both are roughly even. That way, there's less commitment.

Vaktathi wrote:*Personally*, I think it'd be cool to see one of the following:

Chaos Space Marines & Imperial Guard. You still get the "space marines" starter, just Chaosy. Then you get your "good guys" as the "weeny" horde army opponent. A good mix up of roles and armies, neither of which have ever been in a starter set but which still conform to the basic principle of SM Army vs Hordey Army

Eldar and Necrons: Here we have no SM armies, but we do still have one that's fairly similar in terms of statline and basic weapons. Additionally you get two armies that have never been in a starter set, function differently enough that they aren't too similar but can still cover every aspect of the game (shooting, CC, etc) fairly well.


However, if it *must* be vanilla SPehsE MahREEns against something, the current nemesis, Orks, works really very well and is probably what I'd pick to routinely be their foil in starter sets.

I think Chaos Marines Vs Guard would be awesome as well, but we all know that the starter will always contain basic Marines, no matter how much we might wish otherwise.

I also can't see them doing Orcs twice in a row. It seems like they like to use the other half of the box to get people interested and invested in a new army and... don't we all already have a ton of Orks laying around from Blackreach? Why do that twice in a row? It'll be hard to get people excited about the box if it's basically the same as Blackreach.


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MechaEmperor7000 wrote:It'll likely depend on which codex coincides with the release of 6th edition, other than SMs (which always gets released a bit after a new edition). It's not a tradition, since as far as I know that only happened with 5th, but it would be good to get players hooked, as the set would contain two of the most up to date (at the time) books. They wont have to worry about people complaining that the set has one army that is out of date that way.

I'd bet that Chaos Marines, Eldar and Tau will all see a codex release either right before or right after 6th edition, which makes them all good candidates, I think.

Monster Rain wrote:I think it would be cool if it was Space Marines vs. Chaos Space Marines due to the popularity of the Horus Heresy books.

The problem with this is that the starter boxes aren't for people already into 40k, it's for brand-new players. I personally would think, as a new player, that two armies that are very similar would be a bit boring (SM and Spikey SM).

I personally think that it's going to be Tau v. Marines. Suits are cool, appealing to new player.

Gavo wrote:

Monster Rain wrote:I think it would be cool if it was Space Marines vs. Chaos Space Marines due to the popularity of the Horus Heresy books.

The problem with this is that the starter boxes aren't for people already into 40k, it's for brand-new players. I personally would think, as a new player, that two armies that are very similar would be a bit boring (SM and Spikey SM).

There's plenty of people whose first army is Chaos.

I'm not sure what you mean.

jake wrote:I'd bet that Chaos Marines, Eldar and Tau will all see a codex release either right before or right after 6th edition, which makes them all good candidates, I think.

It'll probably not be Chaos Marines, as even GW probably wont include two marine armies in one set (that would mean they'll never move the Chaos battleforce, as you effectively get a full army out of the box with a starter set). I cant imagine Eldar, as they'll always be the "elite" army and likely scare away potential newbies. Tau is probably more likely, although not very fluffy.

Gavo wrote:

Monster Rain wrote:I think it would be cool if it was Space Marines vs. Chaos Space Marines due to the popularity of the Horus Heresy books.

The problem with this is that the starter boxes aren't for people already into 40k, it's for brand-new players. I personally would think, as a new player, that two armies that are very similar would be a bit boring (SM and Spikey SM).

I personally think that it's going to be Tau v. Marines. Suits are cool, appealing to new player.

I think a Chaos Vs. Marines set that included New Plastic Chaos Marines (with lots of neat plastic options), a new plastic Chaos Dread and some plastic Plaguebearers (or whichever demons don't have plastic yet) could really set the two forces apart. The Imperial side could have more standardized equipment.

MechaEmperor7000 wrote:

jake wrote:I'd bet that Chaos Marines, Eldar and Tau will all see a codex release either right before or right after 6th edition, which makes them all good candidates, I think.

It'll probably not be Chaos Marines, as even GW probably wont include two marine armies in one set (that would mean they'll never move the Chaos battleforce, as you effectively get a full army out of the box with a starter set). I cant imagine Eldar, as they'll always be the "elite" army and likely scare away potential newbies. Tau is probably more likely, although not very fluffy.

If they made the Chaos stuff exclusive to the starter box and awesome enough, and the price was right, I don't think it would be an issue.

I bought AOBR for the Marine stuff because it was a good deal and I already had a sizeable Space Marine army.

I'm pretty sure a lot of people would be pissed if the starter set (which even vet players, like myself pick up) included marines AND chaos marines. I would actually enjoy it, especially if it had decent new plastic sculpts for chaos marines (plastic obliterators would be great, as well as plastic cult marines). A lot of people would be unhappy though. I don't play guard, but I agree that a CSM and IG starter set would be pretty good, it would have a marine set and the regular "Bobby Joe" of the 40K realm. Hopefully it pans out. I don't think they would ever do two good armies in a starter set, duking it out, even though Tau and the IOM aren't best friends, they are technically both "good." I also like the Grey Knights vs Daemons: give me plastic plaguebearers and fiends!!

MechaEmperor7000 wrote:

jake wrote:I'd bet that Chaos Marines, Eldar and Tau will all see a codex release either right before or right after 6th edition, which makes them all good candidates, I think.

It'll probably not be Chaos Marines, as even GW probably wont include two marine armies in one set (that would mean they'll never move the Chaos battleforce, as you effectively get a full army out of the box with a starter set). I cant imagine Eldar, as they'll always be the "elite" army and likely scare away potential newbies. Tau is probably more likely, although not very fluffy.

Two marine armies in one set? But GW loves selling marines! What could be better? As far as killing sales on the Battleforce... I doubt it. First, whatever gets packed in the new starter will be all new models very likely, so either they won't invalidate the Battleforce, or the current Battleforce will be discontinued and repackaged. Second, has an armies inclusion in a starter ever hurt the Battleforce sales? It didn't with Orks and Tyranids as far as I know. Rather, it seemed like people were picking up an extra Battleforce to flesh out what they got in the starter.

as much as I would like a Marine and Tau set I don't see it, likely it would be tyranids, orks, or Necrons ( if their re-release is around the same time), personally a Guard vs. Nids would be a great basic set, but not hosting their poster boys would likely put GW's stock analysts in a tailspin of depression, so that likelyhood is equal to us seeing more xenos releases in a year than marines.

timetowaste85 wrote:I'm pretty sure a lot of people would be pissed if the starter set (which even vet players, like myself pick up) included marines AND chaos marines. I would actually enjoy it, especially if it had decent new plastic sculpts for chaos marines (plastic obliterators would be great, as well as plastic cult marines). A lot of people would be unhappy though. I don't play guard, but I agree that a CSM and IG starter set would be pretty good, it would have a marine set and the regular "Bobby Joe" of the 40K realm. Hopefully it pans out. I don't think they would ever do two good armies in a starter set, duking it out, even though Tau and the IOM aren't best friends, they are technically both "good." I also like the Grey Knights vs Daemons: give me plastic plaguebearers and fiends!!

Grey Knights Vs Demons just seems incredibly unlikely. Boxing two niche armies together doesn't seem like a winning strategy, especially when neither of them is likely to get an update around 6th edition.

If I was wish listing I'd say Chaos Marines Vs Guard, but I don't think it will happen for the reasons I mentioned before. Chaos Marines, Eldar or Tau all sound right to me based on the assumption that they'll each be due a new codex around the time 6th edition rolls out. Plus, out of the three Chaos is the only evil faction.

Monster Rain wrote:

Gavo wrote:

Monster Rain wrote:I think it would be cool if it was Space Marines vs. Chaos Space Marines due to the popularity of the Horus Heresy books.

The problem with this is that the starter boxes aren't for people already into 40k, it's for brand-new players. I personally would think, as a new player, that two armies that are very similar would be a bit boring (SM and Spikey SM).

There's plenty of people whose first army is Chaos.

I'm not sure what you mean.

I should be a bit clearer - if they were to do a CSM v. SM, the CSM would need to be drastically different, model-wise, with whatever new goodies their new 'dex would bring.

Gavo wrote:I should be a bit clearer - if they were to do a CSM v. SM, the CSM would need to be drastically different, model-wise, with whatever new goodies their new 'dex would bring.

As a Space Marine and Chaos Space Marine player, I'd love nothing more!

AOBR had some cool sculpts for both armies involved and judging by the Swap Shop GW moved a lot of those!

Soo'Vah'Cha wrote: as much as I would like a Marine and Tau set I don't see it, likely it would be tyranids, orks, or Necrons ( if their re-release is around the same time), personally a Guard vs. Nids would be a great basic set, but not hosting their poster boys would likely put GW's stock analysts in a tailspin of depression, so that likelyhood is equal to us seeing more xenos releases in a year than marines.

I doubt Tyranids or Orcs will be in the new set. They've been in the last two, and in the case of tyranids there's literally nothing new they can put in the box. All 5 Tyranid troop choices are available in plastic, and non of them need to be redone. Unless they plan on stuffing a plastic Tervigon in the starter I can't see it.

As for Necrons, they're almost certainly getting a full release before the end of the year, so it doesn't seem to likely that they'd put them in the starter, unless they use the opportunity to remake the old warriors.

Seriously, what would look more attractive to GW than packing Chaos Marines, who need new plastic a new codex and a shot in the arm sales wise anyway, next to loyalists in a starter box? They stock guys will probably orgasm at the thought.


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Monster Rain wrote:

Gavo wrote:I should be a bit clearer - if they were to do a CSM v. SM, the CSM would need to be drastically different, model-wise, with whatever new goodies their new 'dex would bring.

As a Space Marine and Chaos Space Marine player, I'd love nothing more!

AOBR had some cool sculpts for both armies involved and judging by the Swap Shop GW moved a lot of those!

Yeah, wouldn't a new direction for Chaos Marines, one where they're more than just spiky marines, be awesome? Seems like a starter box is the best place to start.

My guess is it'll be a MEQ. Vanilla marines versus Black Templars or something like that.

Actually, it could be a guards versus xenos thing, guards have gotten much more popular lately if I understand right, and they also have a rep for being expensive, so pushing them wouldn't be a bad idea from a business standpoint if the general rumblings I hear are correct. For the xenos I'd expect DE or Necrons (just because they'll be trying to push the new gak) or maybe CSM, though its a bit of a long shot,

Well let's face it, the SM are the bread and butter of 40K. Even people who don't know too much about 40k will recognize the marines. Therefore a box with plain ole' SM is more likely to sell (theoretically). I mean hoping for the starter box to not have SM would be kind of stupid. Though if it ends up not having marines, you can say "I told you so", but that's probably not going to happen.

Black Templars versus Tau could work. Templars have an early 4th ed dex, although FAQ'd, and the Tau need a new dex badly. Damocles Crusade, go!

It could be cyclical and have Dark Eldar as the bad guys again. Tau would be a really interesting army to put in there though.

Black Templars or Dark Angels would totally work in place of vanilla marines in that they are (or can stand in for) vanilla marines, and at the same time could benefit from a codex update (or coverage in a new marine codex). So yeah.

As I said before, I think CSM, Eldar or Tau (in that ordr) are the most likely. Tau is the one I'd like to see the most though.

Has there ever been a starter set that didn't have Ultramarines/vanilla? I don't think they'll go for Black Templars or Dark Angels. It's hard to picture a starter without the boys in blue.

I sorta think GW will stick to more monstrous opponents: Necrons, or Orks, or even Chaos Daemons.

I'd love to see Eldar or Tau, or the aforementioned CSM vs. Guard.

Hans Chung-Otterson wrote:Has there ever been a starter set that didn't have Ultramarines/vanilla? I don't think they'll go for Black Templars or Dark Angels. It's hard to picture a starter without the boys in blue.

I sorta think GW will stick to more monstrous opponents: Necrons, or Orks, or even Chaos Daemons.

I'd love to see Eldar or Tau, or the aforementioned CSM vs. Guard.

Hi Hans.

The starter history is:

2nd edition: Marines (painted as Blood Angels) and Orcs

3rd edition: Marines (painted as Black Templars) and Dark Eldar

4th Edition: Marines (painted as Ultra Marines) and Tyranids

5th edition: Marines (painted as Ultra Marines) and Orks (again)

They've done Orks twice, and while Orks are awesome I have a feeling they don't want to just repeat Assault on Blackreach again for the next edition. What would be the point? As far as Chaos Demons go, I just can't see GW including them as a main force in a box set aimed at getting new players (kids) into the game. They've been really dodgey about promoting the Demon line to kids (or so I gather).

Id say it would be Eldars.

A squad of 10 guardians, 5 dire avengers, a vyper or a warwalker or something would be nice .

Gac666 wrote:Id say it would be Eldars.

A squad of 10 guardians, 5 dire avengers, a vyper or a warwalker or something would be nice .

It would be. Those are all also currently available plastic models, and none of them need an upgrade. If they do put Eldar in the box my bet would be on plastic Scorpions, new plastic Jetbikes and a plastic monopose HQ of some kind.

From the little I know:

It's unlikely to be CSM or DE, due to the more mature nature of their fluff. I see the starter box as more aimed at young new players, and parents aren't wanting to buy them a buy with either, from the pictures it'll have to have.

Eldar are too specialist, so aren't an easy starter army.

IG are good for a starter, but how many sprues are needed for a small army?

Orcs have just been in a box, as the savage invading green-skinned aliens.

Tau are perfect, with the clean-looking suits, and 'robots'. Aren't they due a codex upgrade, as mentioned?

So, with GW's poster-boys, it's likely to be someone other than Smurfs. With and Tau, as I see it.

If I was wish listing... ehh, I might as well...

Chaos Marines: 1 squad of new, bad ass plastic marines with lots of weird extras to show off their weirdness and differentness. i plastic Dreadnaught, just as strange and different. 1 large horde of demons, preferably whatever kind doesn't have a plastic kit at that point. And a plastic Chaos Champ!

Tau: An XV9 Commander and 2 XV9 suits, 1 squad of Pathfinders, 1 squad of Kroot with hounds, shaper and Krootox.