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Hello, all. I'm new to 40k after playing fantasy for about 15 years. A long time ago I played a few games as Chaos Space Marines but I'm pretty enthralled with the story of the regular Space Marines. The problem I'm running into is that the regular Space Marines seem to be, well, less than powerful and the newer armies like Grey Knights seem somewhat cheesy and they're kind of the hot new thing.

I guess what I want is someone competitive, someone who is fun and a good backstory that is uber fanatical. The problem is I haven't actually played any games yet (it's a lot harder to get games now than it was in college) so I don't know much about how the armies work. I do have the standard Space Marines Codex because I figured it would be a good starting point, but I am interested in other chapters.

I should also mention that I'm fanatical about Space Hulk, the new version and the old Deathwing version as well and that I play mainly a hoard army in Fantasy so I'd like to keep the model count down if I can.

Glad to see there's a good online community here!

First of all Welcome to Dakka.

Space Wolves and Blood Angels are the best of the current SM codex armies.

Neither army typically fields a lot of dudes (compared to the xeno's armies at least) and with some lists they field hardly any.

Also if you're into Deathwing the DA codex got a FAQ buff of sorts so if you wanted to run a Deathwing army you certainly could. Since everyone's a terminator the model count would be quite low.

Ma55ter_fett wrote:First of all Welcome to Dakka.

Space Wolves and Blood Angels are the best of the current SM codex armies.

Neither army typically fields a lot of dudes (compared to the xeno's armies at least) and with some lists they field hardly any.

Also if you're into Deathwing the DA codex got a FAQ buff of sorts so if you wanted to run a Deathwing army you certainly could. Since everyone's a terminator the model count would be quite low.

Thanks for the welcome!

Is Deathwing competitive? Isn't the Dark Angels Codex rather old? I remember that the Black Templars Codex is also fairly old. Does anyone know if they're going to update them? I know Games Workshop is pretty tight lipped about their releases.

The dark angels codex is certainly old, but by no means uncompetitive. I find the codexes labelled "weak" merely require more effort in list building and time understanding all the units. Yah, cookie cutter marines (I'm looking at you smurfs) may be easy to play, but I find that detracts from the challenge, and correspondingly the fun. Give me my Tau and our supposedly uncompetitive codex any day of the week.

Welcome to DakkaDakka!

My vote is for the Space Wolves... so far in lists I've tried to make for them the model count seems low for a Marine army.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
wait... actually you know what? My lists for BAs also seem to be kind of less on the model count.

...but I still say Space Wolves anyway because they seem to have some real character with their wargear, unit types, and stuff like 'sagas'.

Welcome to dakka! I'm gonna have to agree with everyone else either wolves or angels. Both have newer codexes and models so they will look good on the table. With the angels you have the options of successor chapters as well.

Yes DA dex is old, but it's not that bad really.
Many people can't handle FNP termies with 3++ save
And you have lots of options: transport in LR(C), deepstrike, footslogging.
My most succesful tactic is 'multiwing' (bikes and termies)
It has low model count too (under 30 in my games)
But I wish you luck, whatever army you choose
Oh right and welcome to dakka!

-unforgiven-

Hi and welcome

My brother and I have been through a similiar task of trying to pick a Chapter, it's no easy task. WHile the rules for the Blood ANgels & Space Wolves are the best, the Dark Angels have a great background (IMO) as do many of the 'gneric' CHapters to be found within the SM Codex. The beauty of Marines, especially if you pick your own chapter/scheme, is that you could proxy them to any Marine Codex you like (SW,BA, DA, SM, BT). I found a site with 1,000 Chapters in it, some of the schemes/names are lame & some even have backgrounds written (of varying quality - all of which can be changed).

http://www.philipsibbering.com/WH40KRP/40K_9_Marine_4_Chapters_1000.shtml

http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/List_of_Space_Marine_Chapters

Hope this helps

First, Welcome to Dakka.

Personally, I'd go for Blood Angels, as the very strong space wolves theme can get a bit tiring.

Welcome to Dakka!
its got to be BA for sure

Hello and welcome to Dakka!

Hello and welcome

I would say none personally. Branch out be different.
If it had to be SM i would say Black Templars.

Lokirfellheart wrote:First, Welcome to Dakka.

Personally, I'd go for Blood Angels, as the very strong space wolves theme can get a bit tiring.

I have a good friend who apparently plays Space Wolves so I should probably avoid them. I also have heard a lot of backlash against the Blood Angels, what's up with that?

Are the Black Crusaders any good? I like their backstory and the Dark angels as well, but I've heard from a lot of people that they just aren't competitive. Of course I've been reading that regular Marines aren't very competitive when compared to newer armies like the Grey Knights.

Hi,

Welcome to Dakka

Welcome aboard.

Welcome to dakka.

welcome to dakkadakka!

Welcome to dakka