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Hello,
I am considering starting a second 40k army, after playing my Tau to death. In particular, I want to start a second army because I find the Tau to be very straightforward, and I find myself missing the close-combat units of other armies.
I was wondering if I could get some input on what army I should pick. Currently, I am choosing between Chaos Space Marines and Tyranids. I chose both armies mostly based on the quality of their models, but I don't know a whole lot about their play-style.

Second, I was wondering what would be good first purchases for either faction to get a decent, playable army. I am fairly limited in terms of funds, so I need to be quite picky when determining what to purchase; I usually have to wait a while before investing any more into the army afterwards.

Thanks,

-Wierdoom

If you are limited in funds, go CSM-not Nids. It's like having a Space Marine (elite) army, but with occasional daemons involved. Khorne Berzerkers are a great first buy, as you get 12 in the box for 33 bucks-it's a specialist troop unit that hits like a mack truck and the models are cheaper than other chaos units. They are older models, but they're still good looking. Daemon Princes and Kharn would both be great HQ choices to go along with the Berzerkers. Hope this helps.

Nids would be a swarm army, which is why I was recommending to stay away from them. They'll be a lot rougher on the wallet.

Tyranids will give you the best alternate playstyle, as it's very much an assault oriented army. Tau are about staying out of combat, Tyranids are about getting into it.

For the cost of an army, if you go horde you'll spend a bit. It won't run you as much as a Guard army, but they're not a cheap army to collect. The benefit is you wo't be buying expensive vehicle sets and their basic troops are some of the cheaper infantry box sets.

The battleforce is a decent start, giving you 4 troops units, one of which can be used to make a Tyranid Prime HQ (though it leaves you 1 short for minimum squad size). If you want to keep the warriors as a troops unit, the battleforce and a Hive Tyrant gives you a pretty solid base.

Chaos is an excellent choice, very versatile and can be extremely assault orientated. They are also cheap to make, since you can simply use those assault on black reach marines if you so wished, as well as the terimators.

Chaos can have hard hitting melee troops, hard to kill troops, ap 3 bolter troops, or extra shooty troops. Or basic troops, further upgraded by marks.

They have fun elite choices, the dreads are random and the possessed are as well, I always take a squad.

The HQ choices are CC masters, Monsters or tricky sorcerers. Want a HQ that can have 17 power weapon attacks on the charge? Chaos has what you need!

Their fast attack has bikes and jump troops, both upgradeable by marks.

Their heavy support is the standard marine fair expect they have defiliers, big walkers with a long range str 8 ap 3 cannon. However, my personal favorite is the obliterators. Think broadsides, with 6 different guns, and powerfists that come with slow and purposeful standard. Sold yet?


Tyranids will give you the option to use many multiwound models, many monsterous creatures or spam hordes of weak litter buggers. I don't play them so I can't really argue for them, but since I play tau, let me say, chaos is a good choice. They have a good dental plan too.

I'm gonna vote for Tyranids. They may be a bit more expensive, but they are overall a very unique army to play with alot of fun choices. Plus, I think they just plain look better than CSM.

That being said, CSM are awesome, I plan on collecting tem once my Nid's army is complete.

Thank you for the replies and advice.

Alright, well, I've decided to go with CSM. It seems like they fit my play-style a little better, and the randomness of various units like Dreadnoughts and Possessed Marines sound quite interesting.

In that case, what would be good to purchase after the Khorne Berserkers and a Daemon Prince (as per Timetowaste85's suggestions)? I was thinking something along the lines of a Rhino, perhaps another squad of Berzerkers, and an Obliterator. Thoughts?

Obliterators are great but terminators are the single best thing about csm imo, I use 2 5 man squads with icons of khorne,one with a termie lord with mark of khorne and a bloodfeeder.
Add on a khorne bezerkers unit and a close combat defiler... ahh, bliss!

Terminators look good, though they seem to be very expensive. Still, they could serve as a good substitute for a Berzerker squad. How are they in terms of anti-tank power?