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So i'm pretty interested in starting fantasy, i've had my space marines for a few months. I have a few people at my FLGS that play, a skaven, empire, tomb kings, orge, maybe brits or another empire. I would like something pretty forgiving and easy to get into the rules with.

I'm torn between two armies I like, Wood Elfs and Beastmen. Quite different but i'd like some opinions on which one is better for beginners/easier to build.

Also is 500pts an ok level to play at in fantasy? i've played quite a few 500pt 40k battles and they are fun, can i start at 500 pts in WHFB? When i do choose an army i'll probably just buy the battalion and a hero, and with that i think i'll have plenty for 500 pts.

What do you guys think? Elfs or Beasts?

I can't give you any real gaming opinions, but Beastmen do look pretty darn awesome and I would go with Beastmen, but that's because I dislike elves in general. :p

Anyway, both armies you listed aren't amazing at the moment but if you enjoy the look of the army and the playstyle it shouldn't be any real problem, except if you plan to play tournaments.

I enjoy the look of both armies. I've never played fantasy however, what would you say is more effective, shooting with the elfs or combat orientated beasts?

I honestly like both equally, the elfs seem really fragile(no saves!...my marines have 3+...) does their shooting make up for it?

500 point games are going to be pretty tiny- but thats also going to help to learn the rules better since there's less going on. Generally a battalion will get you around 600 points. Add a hero and that can add another 100-200 easy.

I've seen Wood Elves win, but rule changes in 8th Ed have hurt them. I also don't think they are a good beginner army.

Beastmen have gotten a lot of bad press on the internet. I think some of it comes from the Skaven having a fantastic release just before the Beastmen. The Beastmen release was sort of 'meh'. The fluff in the new book is derided, the units got more expensive $$$ wise, and how they worked changed. All that being said, I do think they are cool models.

I would suggest watching some battle reports on youtube. OnceBitten posts some Beastmen reports: http://www.youtube.com/user/OnceBitten360#p/u/2/SASh5ZrrH6c

Have you considered Lizardmen? They aren't a human army, and have a leadership bonus that makes them more forgiving if you mess up.

Yeah, i'm planning on getting a battalion and hero of which ever army i decide, my friend said i could probably start at 750 pt battles if i want(he plays tomb kings).

Thanks for the link! these are very helpful bat reps! im going to watch a few and see what i think.

I saw lizardmen and they didn't really strike my fancy, idk if i could paint that many lizards....its really between beastmen and wood elfs for me, possibly bretonnia.

The thing about armour saves is that they're far less effective in fantasy than 40k. Most infantry armour saves will be in the range of 5 or 6+, obviously depending on the army, as WoC will be fielding 3-4+ infantry, so your concern about wood elves having no save at all is misguided. If you play them right, they needn't ever get into combat, and you've got treekin and all sorts of nastiness to deal with anyone who gets close. My point is, if you want a forgiving army, go for Warriors of Chaos with their S4T4 3+, not even including marks of chaos, for they are the most seriously tough infantry about (not the marauder units), or possibly dwarves, lowest leadership is 9, lowest toughness is 4, but you move slow, which shouldn't be a problem as you charge 2D6+M anyway, and dwarven infantry should do one thing only, protect their lovely, lovely cannons. But of course, if you're going for what you like the 'theme' of, go crazy for what you like. I chose Dark Elves *because* they aren't forgiving, so I can learn from my mistakes that much faster.

WE they work my friend plays them and wipes the floor with my other friends brets haha.

Those trees are nasty for sure until you light them on fire thats always good times.

WoC can be forgiving to an extent but then again they are not always that forgiving.
But they hit so hard and no one better be talking smack about marauders those guys are great 300 pts for 50 marauders fc mok and gw those guys are str 5 then and 10 weide means 40 attacks at str 5 those guys shred things when people think they are a joke.

I would play the half pints but I was told taking as many war machines as I planned on was frowned upon thats why empire was also out of the question haha.

Maybe try HE they are good.

But fromw aht you said go with WE brets are meh beasts are cool but unless you like painting millions of furry guys I would say dont haha.

I would go for Wood Elves, and I say this as a Beastmen player.
The reason being that Wood Elves are due for a new armybook, and new models too.
There is no doubt that both armies are dificult to win with (it's a forest thing), but at least Wood Elves has a shot at changeing that.
Beastmen has some things to look forward to, but they are mostly monsters that nobody really fields.

So because Wood Elves are likely to get an update soon I say go with them.

I think i'm gonna go with WEs. I like the shooty aspect and with 24 GG, 12 dryads and 8 cav the battalion box looks pretty good

Stormcallers wrote:I think i'm gonna go with WEs. I like the shooty aspect and with 24 GG, 12 dryads and 8 cav the battalion box looks pretty good

May you burn, treehugger!



Good luck and enjoy the WHFB world!