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New to 40k, 6th edition, and the Grey Knights

So I picked up the big rule book for 40k, 6th edition, and have been reading through that... phew!!

I'm new to the game (but not new to table top war games), and I've decided to start with an army of the Grey Knights.

My friend (we're both starting together) decided to get the Tau Battleforce Box and he says he's got about 500-600 points worth of an army.

I don't see a Grey Knight Battleforce Box, so I thought I'd reach out to this community and see what you all think is a good starter force for about 500-600 points of Grey Knights.

I'm planning on starting small and taking my time... I love the hobby aspect too, of modeling and painting. Maybe after I get a feel for the game with a few wins and/or losses under my belt, I'll think about expanding past 500-600 points.

What should I start with?
(Thanks in advance )

Well, it depends on which type of army you want to make with the GK codex.

There are quite a few different lists and builds you can do.

Also, heads up, 40k really isn't a balanced game till you hit 1500 points. Especially for any kind of MEQ army. So be aware that games at this point level are more for learning the rules and shouldn't continue to be played once you have the hang of the rules.



So, a GK army is all about the troops choices you run as your base. The GK codex has no less then 5 different troop choice options avaliable to it. 3 of which require special characters to unlock.


Basic Troops choices.

1) Grey Knight Strike Squads. These guys are the cheapest unit the GK codex has. They are a shooting unit. Do not give them any melee weapon upgrades, except possably a single Daemon Hammer. The squads should have the Psybolt upgrade and their special weapons should be Psycannons. a unit of 10 with 2 psycannons and psybolts puts out 16 Str5 bolter shots and 4-8 Str7 rending shots. Pretty decent dakka. However, compared to another troops option these models are not the best value.

2) GK terminator squads. They have the standard terminator price tag, and unlike PAGK units they don't lose their CCW to carry a special weapon. They are basically a more durable shooty unit that can mop up in melee once the enemy has been weakened.

Specialist Troops choices. These a troops that require a specific HQ to unlock as Troops, otherwise they are Elite choices.

3) Purifiers. You have to run Castellan Garren Crowe as an HQ to unlock these guys as Troops, otherwise they are Elites. These are the guys that I said were a better value then GK strike squads. They are only a few points more and are much more potent in melee while losing nothing in the shooting department. They can even be better at shooting because they can take 4 special weapons instead of 2. They are very good at killing hordes in melee due their Cleansing Flame psychic power, and their 2 attacks can kill any survivors. Best to run in squads of 10 in Rhinos with 2 psycannons, psybolts, 7 halberds, and 1 daemon hammer.

4) Paladins. You have to run Supreme Grand Master Draigo as an HQ to unlock these guys as troops, they are elites normally. Basically Terminators with a higher WS and 2 wounds. They can also have FnP with an Apothecary.

5) Henchmen. Inquisitor Coteaz unlocks these guys as troops. Highly customizable. I'm not too familiar with what is good to run them equipped as.

Bear in mind that the Grey Knight box contains all the bits for Strike Squad and Interceptors and likewise the Terminator box has everything for Terminators and Paladins. Both boxes have multiples of all weapon options, so a couple of boxes each and a bunch of rare earth magnets and you'll be able to make most of what's just been described.

Alternatively, I've bought the Dark Angel upgrade sprue and spare terminator bodies from eBay to use up all the extra bits and give me more bodies (but not quite so flexible in load out). I wanted the robed bodies to make my Purifiers a little different.

As Grey Templar said, your first choice with GK is what you want as your troops, and how that will effect your list.


- Lots of Marines: Strike squads

- A few really powerful Marines: Purifiers (Crowe list)

- These 22 models are my 2K list: Paladins (Draigo List)

- High Damage, low durability Specialists: Henchmen (Coteaz list)



You can mix and match some here, though most people tend to pick something they like as a troops choice, and run 4-5 copies of it.


If you do decide to go the henchmen route, you can check out the article in my signature for advice.

First of welcome to warhammer 40k!

The Grey knights can be tricksy to play at only 500p, but I would say start of with some strike squads in rhinos then get some specialists like purgators or interceptors.

Here I made you an army list:

HQ

Ordo Malleus Inquisitor
w. carapace armour, Nemesis Daemon hammer.
40p.

Troops
Strike squad x2
5 Grey knights including Justicar
w. Nemesis force swords and strom bolter, 1 Daemon hammer.
All mounted in Rhino.
150p each

Fast attack
Interceptor squad
5 Grey knights including Justicar
w. Nemesis force swords and strom bolters, 1 Daemon hammer and 1Incinerator.
160p.

total: 500p

This is a pretty selfexplained list, it is a pretty fast army which is good if you are facing shooty armies. I am not sure about the HQ choice but for 500 points it's probably one of the better choices. If you play 600 points I would swap him for a librerian.

But hopefully you will have alot of fun with the Grey knights .

Cheers!