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Hello, and first of all thank you so much you really are a big help to me, also I know this is a Warhammer 40K forum but I couldn't find any place that was just Warhammer in general so I figured this would be best.

So here's my problem I am relatively new to the world of miniature war gaming, except for the fact that I got the Warhammer fantasy starter set about three years ago for christmas, I am 15 now, but I never got around to even putting it together so it sadly got thrown out because I didn't see myself ever completing the job of assembling and painting them, then about a year ago I finally got the Warhammer 40k starter set I put it together but didn't use proper glue and never painted it so basically what I'm saying is that it's in horrible condition and parts are lost. In the end the problem I had with both of these was that I had no commitment I rushed in to the game with out enough money and so when my funds ran out I just sort of gave up or resorted to a cheaper way to put the things together instead of doing things properly which in the end ruined everything. About a month after that I picked up the Axis and Allies miniatures starter set and actually got into it a bit and enjoyed it, but soon I realized in the end it is just a big money scam because of the whole random pieces and the cheap models, plus I feel it really takes the "hobby" out of miniature war gaming. So as you can see I really do enjoy miniature wargaming and now I am actually liking the idea of assembling and painting figures so I am fully ready to commit to something now, but my dilemma is that I really don't know what game to play, Warhammer Fantasy, Warhammer 40K, or the Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game.
I will start off by telling you this, I like the whole fantasy thing but the two problems I have with Warhammer Fantasy is the units being in blocked groups and not able to move separately, and also I never really have been attracted to the units like Lizardmen, Tomb Kings, or Vampire Counts (basically the badies in general) because I dont like their colors the way they play (but i really don't know much about that), and they just seem evil (I am always the guy who plays the good side) so this limits my choice of army and I don't want to play as humans because why would you in a fantasy game, so i would most likely choose the Dwarves. So then I look back at Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game because it's got the free movement, at least I think, and also has the fantasy feel plus I am a Lord of the Rings fan, but then I realize that I would feel constricted to only playing battles happened or would makes sense to happen according to Lord of the Rings and I don't like having the constriction of only having the units in the movie, so for me the Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game is almost out of the picture. So then I look back at Warhammer Fantasy because I realize I do like creative role play ability it has, but then I realize that Warhammer 40K has the same potential. I begin to look at Warhammer 40K, and realize that it has a lot of great things, it has the free unit movement, lots of ranged weapons, the style of gameplay in general appeals to me, and I am liking the looks of the Space Marines and the fact that they seem to be the point expensive but very good units and so tactically useful. And so at this point I feel pretty good about going with Warhammer 40K, but then my mind thinks back to the whole fantasy role play aspect, but this time it's not about the armies because I'm over that but instead about the scenery there is something about the scenery of fantasy battles that attracts me, but on the other hand I do very much love the future scenery with more traversable buildings. So now I really just need you guys to tell me some pros and cons each game has over the others, and your personal opinion.
A small thing I want to say is just about a mental kind of issue I have with myself, and that is that I am the smart kind of dorky, not nerdy though, kid and so thats why I really am interested in these kind of games, don't deny it the people you mostly see playing these games are sort of "different" but I think it's pretty cool. on the other hand I am I guess you could say one of the more "Popular" kids and so for some reason the popular side of me kicks in and says "No I don't really want to play this". Does anyone else feel like this at all?

Well thank you for your concerns.


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Oh and also I feel as though I like the badies in Warhammer 40K more than I do in Warhammer Fantasy, so that means I will have a wider range to choose from when I pick my army if I play Warhammer 40K. While I've brought it up I would like it also if you guys gave your opinions on maybe the army you play and why you like it, and this can before any game.

Thanks

I have a little bit of all 3...
I like 40k and can get plenty of games but mainly from newer players.
I like Fantasy but find the games a touch too long but they are ridiculously funny sometimes (Skaven are entertaining)
I really like WotR but it's nearly impossible to find a game against anyone barring the shop manager.

Thanks PurpleFood what you're saying sort of pushes me towards Warhammer 40K more, and I really see no point in the Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game now.

Thanks

40k is probably the most approachable of all of them...

So at this point I really feel good about Warhammer 40K, and I definitely think that's what it will be unless some one makes some really persuasive point. But I do want to say something, and that is that I don't really have many friends that will be wiling to put money into this for their armies at least until they are really hooked, and I'm sure none of them will really care to paint their figs (but that's not that big of a deal), and these will be the only people I will have to play with for a while. So with that what do you think, is it still fun if you're just playing with a small group of friends? Lastly I will probably go get the Assault on Black Reach kit again so what else should I get to start myself off, I really don't care about price to much because I'm wiling to be patient and save my money, plus where should I go from there? I will Play the Space Marines I know, but should I build on the Orcs, which I do like a little, or what?

Thanks so much

If you're getting the AoBR set then you will also need the SM codex to play SM.
You can keep the Orks or trade them online (or IRL) with someone else for the SM part of the set.
It's usually pretty good to play with a small group of friends, you might not have as diverse a player base but you can get some good stuff going e.g. campaigns and team battles (Though team battles are a touch hectic)

You don't know how helpful you really are, thank you. So it looks like I'm gonna need to get AoBR, SM codex, and I guess paints or what not, so what do you recommend as far as painting, assembling, and basing goes? Also how do you recommend I trade the Orks if I do, but I also think I might want to work out a deal with my friend to have to Orks just so he has something, what would be a good deal and isn't AoBR made so the SM always win?

Thanks

I skimmed most of what you said since large blocks of text really strains my eyes (sorry ^^; ). Anyways, I should point out that fantasy is alot more lenient on equipment, namely there's no set appearance for any particular piece of wargear (while in 40k you'll find that WYSIWYG is very strict in some cases) that isnt generic, and almost all sets come with the generic ones anyways. In addition they also allow you to make "filler" units to stretch your dollar more to get additional bodies. I have some 120 Night Goblins that I'll try to turn into 160 by using fillers, such as decorative barrels and scenic pieces instead of just lined up models. Fantasy also has a much more diverse player base, while almost all 40k players will have one marine army of any variation, and it's most likely their biggest (and most of the time main) army. Those are the main points currently tempting me for Fantasy, so just putting it out there.

If your friends are not keen on dipping into their wallets unless their interested, then offer to split the Orks with one of them. That way you can buy two starter sets, and each of you get roughly around 1000 points of fieldable stuff (the things the AoBR set gives you is really good, especially for it's value). This is also a good core army to start off from.

I personally play with only 3 other people regularly. I havent gotten a game with anyone else in a long time. But it's always fun since we have all of the dexes, and are more than willing to use different marine dexes or proxy stuff. We're also starting to make some campaign missions. Even if the group is small, so long as you're imaginative, you'll always have fun.

Nah it's a touch in-equal but Orks can win...
Orks can always win.
Ask around on the Swapshop if you wanna trade the Orks for something.
I'm not really that confident on painting and assembling etc so you might wanna ask around in painting and modelling...

Well thanks guys you've been a huge help!

If there is anything on painting, assembling, and basing please tell me.

Thanks

One thing: Lizardmen are one of the good guys. They battle demons and all.

Seeing as you're now into 40k anyway, I guess SM are a good starting point. For painting, do not skim off primer. Primer is one of the most important things you need in your miniature lifetime. Doesn't matter if you use the overpriced GW brand or something else like Army Painter, get some. It keeps the rest of your paints on for far longer than if you didn't have it.

I personally use the GW brand, but only cause it's the only one readily available where I live.