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Hi everyone! I apologize in advance for adding another of these threads asking about "my first army", but it's something I'm just having a ton of trouble figuring out myself. To mix this up a bit though, I'm going to be as detailed as possible in all aspects of wargaming that may help you all steer me toward an army choice. A little history, I've been playing/collecting 40k armies for about three years now and have found myself to be extremely finicky regarding sticking to one army choice. I began with Tyranids, but found the lack of models representing my most used units to be a huge drawback. I then went to orks, but frankly I think orcs are ugly and I like more... clothing on my models. Then I switched to Space Wolves followed by Grey Knights and didn't like how faceroll both armies were. I've finally settled on my all Thousand Sons theme CSM force as I love the magic, egyptian theme they have, while also being heavily armored.

What I'm looking for in a WHFB army is first and foremost something that is diverse and can field multiple fun/semi-competitive builds. It certainly does not have to be top tier overpowered, but I want to be able to hold my own in any game by utilizing different army choices. Another big plus for me is how new the codex is. I like to be assured that the army I'm investing in has some good longevity to it.

My style of play tends to be more focused on shooting versus melee, and magic is one of the reasons I want to begin WHFB. I wish psychic powers played a greater role in 40k. That being said, I'm certainly not averse to bringing the fight to the enemy.

I have not really looked through all the armybooks yet, but model wise the following armies are absolute no-gos for me.
- Brettonian
- Beastmen
- Ogres
- Orcs and Goblins
- Empire

I'm really not fond of plain humans so for me that kind of eliminates WoC as well. I love the regular warriors and chosen, but the lack of shooting and marauders kind of turn me off. I'm also not super interested in huge horde armies. For instance, I would never throw out huge blocks of skaven slaves, but I absolutely LOVE the aesthetic of storm vermin so I would roll with them. I simply know that I won't have the time to paint up an army that big.

Aesthetic wise I really do love elves, undead and large creatures like griffons, dragons, etc. Model wise I'm pretty into Tomb Kings, Vampire Counts and Wood Elves. So I suppose I should ask of the above three armies (and others not listed in my no-go list), what army best utilizes magic and ranged weapons, while also keeping a powerful yet balanced armybook?

Thanks for reading!

While the codex is slightly older, you might enjoy Dark Elves. Even though they have a fairly veteran codex, they are definitely a solid army choice that has a lot of diversity (in the forms of monsters, characters and elite infantry), shooting (repeater crossbows) and magic ability. Versatility-wise, there are a number of solid builds out there for them.* Dark Elves also have plenty in the way of monsters; Dragons, Manticores, War Hydras and Cold Ones.

You also would probably not be into Vampires, as they have comparatively little shooting. They have some unusual shooting attacks (banshee/terrorghiest screams) but no archers and the like.

Tomb Kings may also fit your bill. On the bright side, they have a good supply of shooting. Though, being Tomb Kings, it is slightly unusual, in short you have very consistent guys (never take to-hit penalties) that are not great shots (basically they hit on 5+ always). But you've got regular archers, Utshabti with great bows, and catapults. Plus you have monster-like things with Necrosphinxes/Warsphinxes. Magic-wise, they are solid, focusing mainly on support of their units. However, you are not a fan of hordes, so you may be turned off that TKs do thrive with hordes and big blocks.

*As a little aside, one thing to note in WHFB is that there is much much less emphasis on the list you build, it simply is not as important as in 40k. There is not a lot of "uber list" style of play, and the game rewards you for knowing your strategy and planning.

1. Read some army books for the armies you want to play
2. Buy some moddels of the army you decide on
3. Paint & play

And everyone hates gunline campers

Tomb Kings maybe? Very shooty and magic heavy and obviously Egyptian Theme which you mentioned you like. Recent book and lots of monsters.

Something to remember about Tomb Kings is they're a very specific subset of Undead. They're Egyptian themed, focused on Skeletons, Mummies and stone constructs, and very organised and rank and file.

If you're looking for actual Undead outside of Skeletons and Mummies, you'll be looking at Vampire Counts. Don't let the name fool you, Vampires are just the leaders. The actual army is all kinds of Undead, minus Mummies, which GW kept unique to Tomb Kings. They don't have as many large models, but convey the shambling horde of undead much better. As mentioned, they lack a conventional shooting phase, but they make up for it with a pretty strong magic phase,

Lizardmen could probably satisfy you a bit too. Great magic, a bit elite combat choices and skins for shooting. Skinks are great for shooting things to death! Though that means your shooting will be limited, but awesome.
Other than that, the foremenioned armies could probly work too.

Trondheim wrote:And everyone hates gunline campers

don't hate the player, hate the game.

Thanks all for the advice. Of all the WHFB armies I've limited mine down to DE, WE, VC and TK. I'm going to go to my FLGS tomorrow to read up on some of the army books and make my final decision. If anyone else has some advice though I would love to hear it!

Hurricane wrote:Thanks all for the advice. Of all the WHFB armies I've limited mine down to DE, WE, VC and TK. I'm going to go to my FLGS tomorrow to read up on some of the army books and make my final decision. If anyone else has some advice though I would love to hear it!

Wood elves are very outdated, and is probably the most difficult army to play. I wold advise against it. VC and TK both have good books, and excellent models. I'd have a read through them when you get a chance. Dark Elves are a tad older, but one of the strongest books out there still.

Sasori wrote:

Hurricane wrote:Thanks all for the advice. Of all the WHFB armies I've limited mine down to DE, WE, VC and TK. I'm going to go to my FLGS tomorrow to read up on some of the army books and make my final decision. If anyone else has some advice though I would love to hear it!

Wood elves are very outdated, and is probably the most difficult army to play. I wold advise against it. VC and TK both have good books, and excellent models. I'd have a read through them when you get a chance. Dark Elves are a tad older, but one of the strongest books out there still.

BS. Play what you like. Codices rise and codices fall, but money spent is always down the tubes. Don't fail to buy into an army now because it's lame or weird now. Someday it will be simple and awesome, and when that day comes... you will be ready.

Hurricane wrote:Thanks all for the advice. Of all the WHFB armies I've limited mine down to DE, WE, VC and TK. I'm going to go to my FLGS tomorrow to read up on some of the army books and make my final decision. If anyone else has some advice though I would love to hear it!

Well, this is a bit like I said earlier, but make sure you choose an army that clicks well with you. This is not 40k where army power is really determined by the codex (though that said, Sasori is correct in that you will face a larger challenge than normal if you go WE, but they can still win). You will be a lot happier if oyu find army that fits you for appearance, playstyle and fluff, so don't disregard the story elements. And I look forward to hearing how you read up on them and what you decide.

And should you go DE or TK, feel free to shoot me questions, I know DE very well (played them for years) and TKs fairly well for the new codex.

Out of your new 4, I would suggest staying away from WE; they are as old as my Bretonnia book and are not the easiest army to start the game with.

Out of the final 3, do a thorough model search and see what you like best. I personally will build lists around a centerpiece model, so my Bret's get the Grail Reliquae as the center of the army and my OnC have a mangler squig/giant lynchpin.

If you go with VC, you can do the Coven Throne/Mortis Engine; TK have the Necrospynx and bone giants; and DE have hydras and a whole slew of dragons. Simply choose one you like and run with it!

-cgmckenzie

If you are not playing in a GW store, have you considered 3rd party manufacturers? Mantic do a number of armies where the basic troops are about 50% of the cost of the equivalent GW models. Gamezone also make very good vampire knights and other models which are cheaper (and much better looking) than the GW versions.

ElectricPaladin wrote:

Sasori wrote:

Hurricane wrote:Thanks all for the advice. Of all the WHFB armies I've limited mine down to DE, WE, VC and TK. I'm going to go to my FLGS tomorrow to read up on some of the army books and make my final decision. If anyone else has some advice though I would love to hear it!

Wood elves are very outdated, and is probably the most difficult army to play. I wold advise against it. VC and TK both have good books, and excellent models. I'd have a read through them when you get a chance. Dark Elves are a tad older, but one of the strongest books out there still.

BS. Play what you like. Codices rise and codices fall, but money spent is always down the tubes. Don't fail to buy into an army now because it's lame or weird now. Someday it will be simple and awesome, and when that day comes... you will be ready.

It's not BS at all. Someone just getting into a new gaming system, and playing the hardest to learn and one of the most outdated armies, with no sign of an update anytime soon, is not the best choice. If you disagree, that's fine, but nothing I said was BS at all.

Sasori wrote:

ElectricPaladin wrote:

Sasori wrote:

Hurricane wrote:Thanks all for the advice. Of all the WHFB armies I've limited mine down to DE, WE, VC and TK. I'm going to go to my FLGS tomorrow to read up on some of the army books and make my final decision. If anyone else has some advice though I would love to hear it!

Wood elves are very outdated, and is probably the most difficult army to play. I wold advise against it. VC and TK both have good books, and excellent models. I'd have a read through them when you get a chance. Dark Elves are a tad older, but one of the strongest books out there still.

BS. Play what you like. Codices rise and codices fall, but money spent is always down the tubes. Don't fail to buy into an army now because it's lame or weird now. Someday it will be simple and awesome, and when that day comes... you will be ready.

It's not BS at all. Someone just getting into a new gaming system, and playing the hardest to learn and one of the most outdated armies, with no sign of an update anytime soon, is not the best choice. If you disagree, that's fine, but nothing I said was BS at all.

Pretty much this. WE aren't a blast to play unless you are truly skilled as well as doing well with the army. It's pretty much a long chore otherwise, and might turn you off if you try them first.

ZebioLizard2 wrote:

Sasori wrote:

ElectricPaladin wrote:

Sasori wrote:

Hurricane wrote:Thanks all for the advice. Of all the WHFB armies I've limited mine down to DE, WE, VC and TK. I'm going to go to my FLGS tomorrow to read up on some of the army books and make my final decision. If anyone else has some advice though I would love to hear it!

Wood elves are very outdated, and is probably the most difficult army to play. I wold advise against it. VC and TK both have good books, and excellent models. I'd have a read through them when you get a chance. Dark Elves are a tad older, but one of the strongest books out there still.

BS. Play what you like. Codices rise and codices fall, but money spent is always down the tubes. Don't fail to buy into an army now because it's lame or weird now. Someday it will be simple and awesome, and when that day comes... you will be ready.

It's not BS at all. Someone just getting into a new gaming system, and playing the hardest to learn and one of the most outdated armies, with no sign of an update anytime soon, is not the best choice. If you disagree, that's fine, but nothing I said was BS at all.

Pretty much this. WE aren't a blast to play unless you are truly skilled as well as doing well with the army. It's pretty much a long chore otherwise, and might turn you off if you try them first.

Unless you're like me, in which case, you start with WE, play nothing but them for 3ish years, try to start another army and just cannot get used to not playing the hit-and-run style

Dr. Cheesesteak wrote:

Trondheim wrote:And everyone hates gunline campers

don't hate the player, hate the game.

I hate the player, always works better. Beside I sold all my WHFB armies

Krellnus wrote:

ZebioLizard2 wrote:

Sasori wrote:

ElectricPaladin wrote:

Sasori wrote:

Hurricane wrote:Thanks all for the advice. Of all the WHFB armies I've limited mine down to DE, WE, VC and TK. I'm going to go to my FLGS tomorrow to read up on some of the army books and make my final decision. If anyone else has some advice though I would love to hear it!

Wood elves are very outdated, and is probably the most difficult army to play. I wold advise against it. VC and TK both have good books, and excellent models. I'd have a read through them when you get a chance. Dark Elves are a tad older, but one of the strongest books out there still.

BS. Play what you like. Codices rise and codices fall, but money spent is always down the tubes. Don't fail to buy into an army now because it's lame or weird now. Someday it will be simple and awesome, and when that day comes... you will be ready.

It's not BS at all. Someone just getting into a new gaming system, and playing the hardest to learn and one of the most outdated armies, with no sign of an update anytime soon, is not the best choice. If you disagree, that's fine, but nothing I said was BS at all.

Pretty much this. WE aren't a blast to play unless you are truly skilled as well as doing well with the army. It's pretty much a long chore otherwise, and might turn you off if you try them first.

Unless you're like me, in which case, you start with WE, play nothing but them for 3ish years, try to start another army and just cannot get used to not playing the hit-and-run style

I'm going to have to say stay away from WE. I have a friend who decided to pick them up as his first army and he's having difficulties figuring out how to play them. I would suggest picking up something easier to play and learn the game with them, and then pick up wood elves as a second army later down the road if you're still set on them.

+1 Lizardmen. They aren't massively shooty but they have crazy magic and can get pretty solid shooting in unusual ways via Salamanders, Razordons, Skinks and gun-toting dinosaurs.

Hurricane, I just recently switched over from 40K to WHFB and like you debated over which army to start. I play Necrons in 40K and when I switched over the TK were just coming out but the more I looked at all the armies and their different play style I decided that I was gonna stick with what I know and that is find an army that I like the look of and can get into the fluff of. So my advice is go out and look at the Codices and choose the army you feel comfortable with because ultimately you have to buy, paint and play the army and it has to one that you enjoy. So remember everyone has their opinion but ultimately there is no bad choice just "your" choice. Go and have fun....

I myself am a Tk player and I love painting them it's easy fast and fun. My mate plays LM and they are very fun to play with. But it is your decision and you need to weigh up your options. Don't want to get a codex and some minis and realize you don't like them. The best way to choose army's I've found is to go with your heart if you tuely love WE choose them.

How has nobody mentioned High Elves yet? They have some of the best shooting and probably the best magic phase in the game.

I love my woc. They may seem human but they are anything but. Think better stronger more evil ruthless servants of the dark gods.

Good fluff sweet models. tons of options for themed armies and cool paint jobs.

Remember you are not limited to warriors and marauders trolls can be core and you have a big selection of monsters at your disposal.

SKAVEN!! They are fun to play with win or lose. Lotsa cool models, the book still works well and you never get tired of their antics when you roll bad. Skaven, ya, ratz, that's the ticket.

If you want to play Wood Elves, play Wood Elves.

Although I have to ask how one could be so indecisive in picking an army. I was in love when I saw the Beastmen.

I would suggest Dark Elves - elite enough, strong shooting, strong magic, lots of monsters (dragons, hydras, manticores, pegasus, cold ones)

I play TK and it is a blast, although it is a bit hard the first games. I would sugest getting a casket of souls as a minimum to tip the magic phases in your favour. The tomb kings kan never (ever) march, witch is a huuuuuge settback, but with heavy magic / shooting the oponent will come to you.

I do think dark elfs are super competative as all they have is good from the break of day and all way through.

Lizardmen could be an exelt army if you like monsters. They do not have so many models, lets you have funn in the magic phase and the skinks are good shooters.

PS: A lott of people say the TK are egyptian. While that is true, some alternative colourschemes can make for armies of other cultures. All they really care about is that tomb kings represents old dead cultures, while vampier counts represensts horror themed undead.

Your preferences of the army ingame tends towards Skaven. Awsome magic and shooing (if it works) and some funny melee too.

1 month thread necromancy. You should have probably suggested he play VC.