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Hey guys,

I'm new to 40k from Fantasy, my two buddies and I starting up together. My one buddy is playing Grey Knights, and the other has started Dark Eldar. I'm going to be playing Chaos Space Marines, maybe with some Daemon allies.

Right now I have the DV set, and I'm looking for advice on how to build the force up first to 1k, and then 1500 and beyond.

Fluff and theme is important to me, a big reason why I am playing CSM is because I don't feel right playing my ideal Space Wolves against GK over and over again. Just doesn't feel right. Also the reason why I am interested in Daemon allies, purely for theme. And spite. I also like spite. It is important that the games are fun and competitive though, I don't care if I win every game as long as each game is close and enjoyable.

So with that being said, my initial idea was to take the DV set, paint them as Crimson Slaughter (ie Khornate theme). Then I add a Bloodthirster and 8 Bloodletters. That takes me nearly to 1k, a little room for some upgrades. The Bloodthrister model is one of the reasons I got in to Warhammer Fantasy so long ago so thats a big draw, and though I seem a little light on Raider busting ability for the DE it does seem fun. 1500 I'd love a Terminator Lord and Terminators, and probably just more Marines, maybe some long range firepower from somewhere. Havocs or Oblits would be good but a Defiler seems more Khornate...

My next thought was I don't really really want Khorne. I like the models, but the mentality doesnt really sit right with me. I have played 40k years ago, maybe 6 or 7, back when Berserkers were frenzied and had to always move towards the nearest enemy? Every single turn... Left a bad taste in my mouth. So I was thinking since my other buddy is playing DE, why not a Slaanesh force? I think the pursuit of pleasure is a pretty interesting take on Space Marines, pretty radical from all the war war war that even the Loyalists dream about. I do like the Daemonette models too, and a great opportunity to model DE heads and bodies everywhere and really personalize it. Unfortunately I'm not really sold on Noise Marines, a little too rock n roll and not enough, ya know, guns n armor? So not sure how to build a Slaanesh force up. 1k could be the same with a Keeper of Secrets and Daemonettes, but beyond that I dont know. As far as effectiveness the Mark of Khorne on all my units seems a lot better than +1 I as Edlar and Halberds are all striking first anyways. Not to mention the loss of the Bloodthirster at least able to fly and keep up with Raiders and smash them into bits.

My biggest, biggest must is that as the Warlord represents me on the battlefield, my Warlord on either force must be able to and in fact endeavor to seek out and slay the opposition Warlord in a challenge every game. Regardless, of army thats the most fun I will have. As long as that happens, I'm smilin. Did I mention I like spite?

So, lets brainstorm here: effective, fun, and fluffy. Khorne or Slaanesh? And if it matters the GK player is the better general and all else being equal he will be the tougher opponent.

I think the Murdersword is pretty much what you're looking for in an HQ.

Other than that, for you I'd say stick with the basic CSM as your troops amd give them Marks and Weapons to balance your army. This way you can stick with a theme i.e. no cult troops, and still be decently competitive.

As for Daemon allies, my favorite additions are the Bloodthirster and Soul Grinder. They provide a lot of versaile and survivable support. You can always use the rules for Bloodletters and count/paint them as demons of Slaanesh or whatever other god you want.

The murder sword is definitely pretty murdery, I'll give you that.

I like the idea of basic CSM with marks opposed to cult troops and I can definitely see the appeal of the Mark of Khorne, but not so much Slaanesh.

At best it means striking at the same time as some of the DE, but still after others and after GK with halberds. The big bonus I can see is the Icon for FnP, but at 30 points that seems pretty steep. Is the +1I and/or FnP any good against DE and GK?

The new Codex makes it pretty easy to kit out a new force that would be effective and fluffy. The challenge is that Chaos is no longer a point-and-shoot army, it does take some tactics to be successful with it. Were I just starting out, the force I select would be based around the fundamentals and leave me room to grow as I learn better tactics in the 6th edition.

I would start by buying 20 - 30 CSMs. They are inexpensive, have good stats, and fit into any fluff system. Selecting them means I am going to have a tough unit that can stand up to some punishment and hand some back. I would have at least 2 units with flamers or plasma, and would probably magentize some icons to allow me to experiment.

Bikers are the second unit I would be looking at. They are very tough for the price and have good options. It seems to me every army needs at least one unit of 5 bikers and a melta, they are one of those units where it's hard to go wrong.

Fortifications are the next thing I would add. CSMs get a lot tougher from behind a defense line, and it's good to keep cover at the front of your thoughts.

With a small force in place, I would try to get some games under my belt with these units before selecting elites or heavy options. I would pay attention to the style of combat I like in the new edition, whether it's close combat or gunlines, and select more advanced units around that. If I am focused on gunlines, I am going to be looking at units like Chosen, Obliterators, Forgefiends, Defliers, Berzerkers, Noise Marines, Plague Marines and Havocs. If I am more focused on CC, I am going to be looking at units like Raptors, Warp Talons, Maulerfiends, Mutilators, Thousand Sons and Terminators. In either case, I am going to be building out a strong force centered around these units, and selecting others that compliment them on the battlefield.

After I get good with these units, that's when I am going to make things fluffy.