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The question's in the title, where does one start with GKs unit wise?

Well as with most armies you first start with a theme. Then with the troops. At least that's my approach. What kind of theme were you thinking of?

Cheesiest list possible

In all seriousness, I was thinking something along the lines of a fairly fun and balanced list for casual play that can hold it's own at higher levels too.

I'm not fond of Inquisition stuff, so I would like pure Grey Knights, I'm particularly fond of Purifiers, Paladins and a teleporting Dreadknight would be cool too.

I would advice against taking crowe and go pure purefier as it often feels bland to play.

If you want to play with the toys (elite and heavy suport) I sugest you take the power armour troops and put them in the all purpose tanks the rhino.

Get a cool HQ

Meh, mechanised in a massive scale doesn't excite me.

I was thinking a nice mix of units, such as

Grand Master

Strike squad X2

Terminators/ paladins

Purifiers

Land Raider varient

Dreadknight

If you're going to go PGK

Than you should choose if you want to go terminators or PAGK.

To keep your army inexpensive and versatile, consider magnetizing arms, so you can swap CC weapon choices and #of psycannons.

Razorbacks can = Rhinos and figure 1 for every 10 PAGK, though you may find your list needing more.

Terminators/Paladins - a 2000 point paladin list needs Draigo and a librarian, and about 15 paladins. Add a storm raven and 2 dreadnoughts and you've come out around $300 new, less on ebay.

An1850 competetive purifier list needs around
4-5x boxes of GK
4-5x Razorbacks
3-4 Dreadnoughts
Crowe
1 Vindicare assassin (optional)
which should run you a little more than $400

Well it's going to be slow grow, so I need to optimise and prioritise which units come first. Not too keen on a mass of terminators (Thats what my deathwing do) but i'd like some in there, most likely in the form of paladins, even if they just become a fire magnet.

Not being excited by GK I apologize if I have it incorrect.

Assuming you want the pretty baby carriers I would start out with a core of say two dreadknights and 2 or 3 autocannon dreadnoughts. I am assuming that is going to be around 800 points so you then have 1000 to flesh out your HQ and troops. At that point, you are going to have to fit the rest of your army around it. So - for example - you may find 2 units of 5 GK termies too little so you may want to get the numbers up and run power armor GK for troops and then get them some rhinos or razorbacks to get them some extra protection.

Alright, three things I need to get set down:

It's going from low to high points, so that means It needs to be playable at 1000 points.

I'm not made of money. Starting with Dreadknights isn't really an option sadly.

I'd like it to be varied rahter than an army of extremes. Although the two Dreadknight three dreadnoughts does admittedly sound fun.

Great thing about the Grey Knights is making a list is super simple, take Psyflemen dreads, do not take Brotherhood Champions.

After that you can literally take whatever you want and field a competitive force.

Listed in the order that you should prioritize them for building your list for each force org. (only GK options listed, no Inq stuff)



HQ:

1) Standard Grand Master
Grand Strategy is great, as it allows you to take Min troops, and then take other stuff instead. This lets you take other cool stuff at low points without sacrificing scoring units.

2) Librarian (might, quick, sanctuary, shrouding)
Great support character, 2 spells a player turn, 4 spells a game turn.



Elite:

1) Purifiers
These guys are good in small squads (psycannon and halberds, maybe a hammer). That makes them a good starting unit for low point games. Small unit=Needs a Transport. Rhino or Razor works, so buy the Razor so you can swap tops. Eventually you can build a larger unit and put it in an assault transport.

2) Ven Dread
You can swap the models with the HS dreads. They are very hard to kill. Great for camping on an objective with Grand Strategy.

3) Paladins
Good unit, but simply too many points in low cost games. Do not take an Apothecary, it is not really needed. 2W and 2+ is enough against small arms fire. I would also stick to swords over halberds. You need the 4+ Inv, Librarian can give them Int 10 on your turn. Remember to diversify the wounds as well.



Troops:

1) Strike Squads
They are a solid troops unit. I would not upgrade them for combat, other than a Hammer on the justicar. 10 of them in a rhino with 2 cannons and psybolt ammo makes for a tough shooting unit.

2) Terminators
I am not a huge fan of them, simply because they are not that great in close combat, and not that great at shooting. I think that Paladins are simply a much better value.



Fast
1) Interceptors
Build these guys like a strike squad. (cannons and psybolt, 1 hammer) They are great with grand strategy. you can first turn assault. 30" move plus scoring for last turn grabs.

2) Storm Raven
I like this with a librarian. Move flat out for 3+ cover, and you can still multi-melta something. Paladins assaulting out of one is nice as well.


Heavy
1) Normal Dread
This is the GK version of Long Fangs. Your army is lacking long range shooting? Lets give you a great option for not a lot of points to make up for that.

2) knight
Teleporter and Incinerator. The other guns are simply not that good and are a ton of points. The Combat weapons are nice, but very pricey as well.

3) Purgation Squad
5 dudes with 4 incinerators is a rough squad. Can also flame through walls with their power.

4) Land Raider
good, but in the wrong force org. Heavy support has a lot of good competition, and there is little in fast attack. Go for a storm raven first.

If one is to start an psyfleman dreadnought spam, what would be the other stuff in his/her army? And would it be competitive and effective?

svendrex wrote:
Fast
1) Interceptors
Build these guys like a strike squad. (cannons and psybolt, 1 hammer) They are great with grand strategy. you can first turn assault. 30" move plus scoring for last turn grabs.

Scout-shunting has been FAQ's and is thus no longer legal.

I would advice against taking crowe and go pure purefier as it often feels bland to play.

Not this again...

DAaddict wrote:Assuming you want the pretty baby carriers I would start out with a core of say two dreadknights and 2 or 3 autocannon dreadnoughts. I am assuming that is going to be around 800 points so you then have 1000 to flesh out your HQ and troops. At that point, you are going to have to fit the rest of your army around it.

Considering that is 4-5 Heavy choices...

odorofdeath wrote:

I would advice against taking crowe and go pure purefier as it often feels bland to play.

Not this again...

Agreed. The endless challenge of making Crowe work el-pasta-solo is enough to make the list fun to play.

AlmightyWalrus wrote:

svendrex wrote:
Fast
1) Interceptors
Build these guys like a strike squad. (cannons and psybolt, 1 hammer) They are great with grand strategy. you can first turn assault. 30" move plus scoring for last turn grabs.

Scout-shunting has been FAQ's and is thus no longer legal.

You can first turn assault without the scout-shunt.


12" scout
12" move
6" Assault

30" of ground covered by turn 1.


It is as guaranteed as the scout-shunt? no
Can you still do it? Yes

svendrex wrote:

AlmightyWalrus wrote:

svendrex wrote:
Fast
1) Interceptors
Build these guys like a strike squad. (cannons and psybolt, 1 hammer) They are great with grand strategy. you can first turn assault. 30" move plus scoring for last turn grabs.

Scout-shunting has been FAQ's and is thus no longer legal.

You can first turn assault without the scout-shunt.


12" scout
12" move
6" Assault

30" of ground covered by turn 1.


It is as guaranteed as the scout-shunt? no
Can you still do it? Yes

If your opponent fails then yes, you can. Why would anyone place anything within charging distance?

AlmightyWalrus wrote:

svendrex wrote:

AlmightyWalrus wrote:

svendrex wrote:
Fast
1) Interceptors
Build these guys like a strike squad. (cannons and psybolt, 1 hammer) They are great with grand strategy. you can first turn assault. 30" move plus scoring for last turn grabs.

Scout-shunting has been FAQ's and is thus no longer legal.

You can first turn assault without the scout-shunt.


12" scout
12" move
6" Assault

30" of ground covered by turn 1.


It is as guaranteed as the scout-shunt? no
Can you still do it? Yes

If your opponent fails then yes, you can. Why would anyone place anything within charging distance?

Because some of my opponents would leave themselves open like that.

svendrex: Thanks for the list of stuff, It is rather helpful. Thanks everyone else for general direction and help, I'll consider the point about making Crowe work alone, it sounds like a good challenge.

AlmightyWalrus wrote:
If your opponent fails then yes, you can. Why would anyone place anything within charging distance?

Use the threat of a first turn charge as area denial.


Place your unit such that they can charge into the few pieces of area terrain on their side of the board. They have to chose between a possible first turn charge or sitting their long fangs in the open or not in a good firing position.


Your opponent is trying to draw out your interceptors by placing them just out of charge range and misjudges the distance.

svendrex wrote:

AlmightyWalrus wrote:
If your opponent fails then yes, you can. Why would anyone place anything within charging distance?

Use the threat of a first turn charge as area denial.


Place your unit such that they can charge into the few pieces of area terrain on their side of the board. They have to chose between a possible first turn charge or sitting their long fangs in the open or not in a good firing position.


Your opponent is trying to draw out your interceptors by placing them just out of charge range and misjudges the distance.

Fair enough, I guess.