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I only want to play a small game...I figure about 500 pts, casually to learn the game, and going by the Force Organization Chart frustrates me.

It seems just to get to 500 pts...I'm either over/under by at most 20pts, give or take a few points...with hardly any add-ons, just basic stuff.

Is there leeway for games if your not EXACTLY at a point limit? I've seen lists for exactly 1500, 2000, 2500 points and so on so it's right on the money. I just must suck at math, which honestly I do.

It is a bit frustrating at low point levels. 500 is very restrictive with the FOC too. Most people who I know prefer to be under by a few points than over by even one point. A points "limit" is just that. Then again, most people I know use 1000 points as a "small" game too. When in doubt, just check it with your opponent, explain the difficulty of squeezing in at such a low points level.

I play SM, and it is sometimes difficult to find a way to use that last 20 or so unspent points, but still not possible to actually get anything else without going over.

So what I'm gathering it's best to err on the side of caution and be under a few points than be over...I'm also guessing it's probably easier to reach the point limit at higher points, because even 1000 pts. seem like a pain in the keister to come just under.

500pts for Space Marines (that I assume your playing) is slowed to make a proper list. We have to spend pretty much all our points on troops, therefor no support options.

Getting the exact 500 points is not hard with Marines. There are plenty of 5, 10 and 15 pt upgrades to take to fill out your points. Meltabombs, Hunter killer missiles, extra armor, dozer blades, combi weapons, you name it.

What models do you have or planning to get? I can offer suggestions on a list if you provide more info.

Most of the time when you see an "x amount of points" list it will be on the x or under. So by agreeing to a 500 pt battle, both players can bring up to 500 (however they can squeeze the points up to that point.)

You're right, marines are rough at 500 pts (especially blood angels!) Other armies, like eldar, tyranids, and orks can exploit their numbers in smaller brackets. The game becomes more variable with larger battles, yet also more timely and sometimes confusing. I would recommend trying to step it up to 750 if you don't like the 500s. If you can only field a certain amount, like 600 points, just ask your opponent to make a 600pt list beforehand.

If its a friendly game, why not suggest dropping the HQ as a compulsory option, would leave you more points for something else and as long as both of you agree then its fair game. Alternatively, ask if you can push the bar up to 750pts instead. Still a small army and a quick game, but would give you more freedom.

The game was made for a point range of 1000, 1500, 2000 and everything inbetween. Lower points tend to modify the FoC to accomodate the restrictiveness. Generally, a 400-500 point force would be a combat patrol force, where you had little to no armoured vehicles, and only basic troops (only one troop choice is required, no HQs).

Well I got the AoBR and the SM Battleforce, the latter which isn't even put together yet, just a Tac squad. So....with some of the replies here I got some ideas, esp. with no HQ...I may be slowly getting the idea....

Arionel wrote:Well I got the AoBR and the SM Battleforce, the latter which isn't even put together yet, just a Tac squad. So....with some of the replies here I got some ideas, esp. with no HQ...I may be slowly getting the idea....

What I've done in the past for friendly games is to say, I'm over x amount of points. Do you want to add that many to your army or do you want me to drop something?

People are usually happy to add in a few more points, because they can take grenades or another power weapon or something of that nature

Admittedly 500 points doesn't leave you much to go on for space marines. other races do it just fine

When I very first started out, I would always be at like 1010, 1505 or 1502 (I think) I only played in friendly games and would just ask "do you care if I'm over by "X"? Almost always they would reply with something along the lines of "doesn't bug me" or "sure, I'll tac on "insert upgrade". My store was really accommodating to new players. I think only one guy ever got huffy over it, but he was also the biggest proponent of your models showing exactly what they had on their list. Being a super broke kid in High School, I made do with what I could beg/borrow/convert. He ended up playing me anyway (and murdering me) once I explained it was all I had to work with, unless he wanted me to start breaking upgrades off my minis.

Now adays, I do t to stay under or right at, AB has made that job a ton easier. But I also play IG now, so feels like I have alot more wiggle room.

Summary: Just ask, if its a friendly game most folks (that I've met) won't mind to much, especially if they know your playing on a students budget, just make sure you return that type of courtesy if they need to bend the rules (maybe a proxy model for example)