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What do you guys think will be the best way to build up from the chaos marines or dark angels that are included in the DV set. I need help seeing as im a noob.

Wait for the new codex first, then buy models.

I'd have to second VegRAWR's post, as its hard to give advice before the codex Drops. If you're completely new to the game do the following:

1) Try playing a variety of 500pt games with forgiving opponents. Use the models you have at first, and ask to proxy alternate units you might think of using to try them out without having to empty your wallet. I'd also try using you're guys as all of the various flavors of marines so that you can see which play style you like best. If you like assaults try BA and SW, if you like shooting, go with Vanilla, just try them all before you invest money. A 500 pt game only takes 30 min or less, so you can crank through quite a few in a night of gaming.

2) If you must buy more models before the codex drops (could be Nov/Dec), look to get units that are not likely to change in utility, and or Magnetize what you buy so that you can change out weaponry to meet the strengths of the new codex. A good example of this would be a LandSpeeder. Build the basic body then magnetize all the weapon options so that you can switch them out at will. Speeders have only gotten better in 6th, and depending on the new codex, may be unbeatable for the cost. (check u-tube for tutorials, there are hundreds of them)

3) Hit ebay or ask around and look for cheap used models that you might want to play around with so that you don't have to pay GW prices for experimentation.

4) If you have to buy them new, look for cheap units that are very versatile or that can be built up over time or that supplements other units. Though I am not a fan of devastator squads, if you buy a boxed set it gives you all the heavy weapons you might want to swap into your tactical squad while you try things out. It also works as a stand alone unit if you need it too. The same is true for the commander boxed set. It comes with a ton of weapon options, and substituted into your tactical squad to try out other Sgt weapon options if you don't wind up using him as a solo

5) Get help. Most gaming stores have at least one or two regular gamers that are willing to help the new guy. Find them, and use them to help you test out your army. They will give you good tips and tricks, and might be able to guide you to an ideal army build based upon the style of game you want to play. They also tend to be more forgiving of wild proxying (I once used 3 peanut butter jars as Drop Pods) to let you figure out a good combo.

Hope that helps

Or use the SM codex for now as I am doing, I have done the same thing, bought two DV sets and added quite a bit to it, so far I have 60 tac marines 5 rhinos/razorbacks 1 whirlwind, 1 vindicator 2 preds 4 dreads quite a few chaplins librarians captain/commanders 9 bikers 5 drop pods 25 terminators

Yes I have gone totally mad, but if i was you i would build up to around 2k points as most game will be under that, buy units you like (either the models or the stats) the tactics section will help you figure out what is good in stats

Have to disagree MarkyMark, that's really not the best way to start an army, its pretty much death by options. If you really want to learn the game well, its best to start small and build big, instead of starting Big and then downsizing. Though cheap these days, unless you're playing Apocalypse you will almost never be fielding 6 tac squads, and you really don't need that many extra bodies. Even if the new DV sets only cost 15 on ebay, that's still $15 he could put towered models he might actually use on a regular basis instead. Plus, who know's how much money he has to burn. In this economy its better to keep it in the bank till your sure, instead of spending now and regreting later

I agree Instinctual on this matter. But I also have another opinion for building up from dark veneance.

What I plan on doing is buying it and converted it to Chaos.

This will give you:
-20 Cultist
-1 Hellbrute
-10 Tactical Marines (Normal Chaos, or Plague Marines)
-5 Terminators
-1 Chaos Lord
-1 Librarian (Dark Apostle)
-3 Bikes (Nurgle T6 Bikes)
-1 Company Master (Another Lord)

The reason for this is once you convert all these you'll have a pretty nice spread of Chaos units to choose from to start an army. Most will most likey be useful still when the new codex hits. Also you can just say their fallen Dark Angels for the fluff and you don't have to convert them too much.

Oooh, good idea Chaos Santa, the Fallen are a great option

Thanks Instinctual.

But don't put together the terminators yet till the new codex comes out unless you know what you want them to have wargear wise. I don't know what type of wargear Chaos Space Marine Terminators can take.

ChaosSanta has some good advice. I hadn't thought about that. This is the first box that I can think of where that was an option. Would never have worked for AoBR or Macragg. On the other hand we haven't asked James how confident he is in his modeling skills.
James if this is your first army you might consider making a wip thread here. If you do people will give you tips that will greatly accelerate your progress.

Ok thanks meatshield im quite all right with converting and i will try to make a wip at some point soon.

Thanx to everyones help.

James

Well, I'd stay away from the ''fallen'' idea and build up a pure Dark Angels army. For this, the starter set provides a decent starting point.

You could also buy additional models/units from ebay which are very cheap these days. In this way, you could expand the army in a way that you end up with several armies: pure DW, pure RW, dualwing, DA with Tacticals.

I'd suggest the following units to purchase for the DA to allow you to play a nice game & learn it, plus they're very likely going to be of the same level of usefulness in the new dex as they would be now:

Another tactical squad, probably suggest flamer/ML combo for this one as it's a very versatile loadout for pretty much all SM armies including BA/DA/SM/CSM. Also, bump the bikers up to 5 & add a magnetized attack bike. Add that to the DV DA army & it's an excellent start on a SM/DA army. Scouts are pretty much always useful as well it seems, especially sniper scouts & I doubt DA will lose those since they've got a veteran scout Sgt of their own that I'd wager we'll see in their next codex.

In the meantime, play them either as DA from their sad old codex or as SM for the time being until the DA get a dex of their own worth having.

As for CSM, best to leave the cultists at home for the time being because we have no idea what their points costs are or restrictions or whatnot. But buy 2 boxes of CSM & a box of berzerkers, plus some rhinos (havoc launcher is dirt cheap & super useful).

DA have about 500-800 points with troops in the starter. If you say you will be playing DA or Chaos, the starter is the best deal you can get at the moment. Rulebook plus two good armies to start with. If you decided on an army you might exchange one for the other from another starter. Check out the locals

This is what you get.
100- 120 Libi/Chaplain/Company Master

215 Deathwing Terminator Squad
5 Chainfist
30 Assault Cannon

165 10 Tactical Squad
15 Plasma Gun
20 Plasma Cannon

Fast Attack
120 3 Ravenwing Attack Squad

690

500-750 games are quick and easy to play as already said. You might check with your opponent to consider adapting his list to yours to keep the fun. Get to know the play style with bikes or terminators. If you know what you are looking for, expand

Have fun testing and brewing

Caine out!

Well it my bday soon and im like the idea of chaos so i will convert the da to csm that are undivided or khorne. Should iget the csm battle force if possible or should i get units separetly. I am also getting some sm and csm for free off a friend that includes rhino/s assult marines dred tacticals csm tacyicals and some other chaos stuff i can not remeber at the momemt.