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I'm a 40k collector, and I felt like starting an army from a different range. I'm a complete n00b and the only reason I'm interested is because my friends were playing it and it looked fun. I have an idea of what I need to get, but i'm still a bit hazy. I especially need to have an idea of what the armies are like. This is the main priority for the moment. PLease help!

I'd check out the privateer press forums they have a ton of army lists.

As most factions are very well balanced check out the different play stiles and the models and see what you like best, it's not like 40k with a major imbalance of codexes.

Check out http://battlecollege.wikispaces.com/. Gives a brief summary of each faction, and describes each unit in a roundabout fashion. Not the be-all and end-all on rules, but it is what I used to really get started. Also, look at http://www.forwardkommander.com/ for the unit points. These two sites are great for figuring out what an army of a certain type actually entails. Normal games are 25pt (~1000pt 40k in terms of feel), 35pt (~1500pt), or 50pt (~2000pt)

You can find the quickstart rules here http://privateerpress.com/warmachine/the-game and here http://privateerpress.com/hordes/the-game for Warmachine and Hordes respectively, to give you an idea of what the game entails.

Welcome to the other side.

darefsky wrote:I'd check out the privateer press forums they have a ton of army lists.

As most factions are very well balanced check out the different play stiles and the models and see what you like best, it's not like 40k with a major imbalance of codexes.

hell of a lot more ballanced, and cheaper to boot.

aleis wrote:Welcome to the other side.

The better Side =]

goofing aside, i recommend deciding your faction and starting with a Battle Box to start playing and work from there. BB teach you about the Caster/Jack Mechanics. from there you can add some infantry and solos as you go up in points. and eventually adding new casters and jacks.

Here is some simple Summary of Factions i know.

Khador(mine) - Russians of High ARM doom! Khador has no light jacks save the 1 character included with Old Witch. We Love infantry, Most of our lists will include Winter Guard Infantry, Kayazy Assassins, or IFP. or a mix. We also have some of the best Movement Shenanigans. But our downside is Our heavy infantry Man-O-War and our Jacks are really slow, SPD 4. We are mostly a beatstick faction, our Range is in our Jacks and a support unit called the Widowmakers.

Cygnar - Its hard to be Competetive with this faction. they have some fun Mage and ranged Shenanigans but everyone knows how to counter their main lists that used to be turn 2-3 wins. there are some good players that can be really competetive with them.

Cryx - I hate and love this faction at the same time. They have Tricks, and Undead, and Incorpreal... Cryx lists are a pain in the back side for Khador thats for sure. They are the tricksy faction.

Menoth - Think of them as a Catholic Crusade, because thats what they are. very religious faction. they are a 50/50 competitive. they are also the faction with some great jack support. they easily run 3-5 jacks in average lists. they have some fun details on the Jacks. aside form that i am not partial to them.

Retribution - Elves, nuff said. Not recommended for new players.

ofc these are my interpretations of the factions. generally derived from local chatting at the shop xD