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At what point levels do you try for tiered lists? I've been looking at getting in to the game, I have a few pieces to paint and kind of wonder what to get next. Obviously trying to max your tier at a low point level leaves you with few choices. So what is your rule of thumb. T2 @ 25pts?
T4 @ 50pts?

I think it depends entirely on personal choice, and on your caster. Some casters are easier to get to the higher tiers faster, others you need more points (the ones requiring multiple units of infantry just to get to tier 2 or 3 for example)

Completely dependant on the caster and the teir list in question.

At 15pts mangled metal, it makes a lot of sense to take Rezniks teir list, for cheap reckoners, but he usually likes a mixed list at higher pt games, so you wouldn't use it then. Meanwhile, Amon's teir list NEEDs at least 35pts to get his teir 4 bonuses, but it's hard to work in everything till 50pts

Ok, ignoring the question as there's something else I wish to mention. The theme lists are not the best idea for a new player to follow. Generally speaking they lock you into one style of play or require too many of one thing that you'll only use in the theme list. I think new players should be experimenting with their lists and trying out new things. But that's my personal thing, so keep at whatever makes the game fun for you.

^Indeed. Tier lists are for a player thats looking for a specific playstyle. Not someone who is brand new.

Generally, I wouldn't bother with a Tier under 35 points. And then if you go for a Tier its all or nothing. Of course if the Tier 4 bonus isn't amazing there isn't any reason to get it.

Typically, I don't. Generally speaking there are only a few lists per faction that offer benefits that outweigh the drawback of the model limitations. Even for those that are "Worth it" they generally rely on stacking key units above the usual FA which means you've got models sitting around you can't use normally. Honestly tier lists are mainly just for a fluff and many are just train-wrecks of poor list composition. If you wanna run tier either wait for your collection to expand and run one for fun to match some fluff you like, or find one of the tier lists that actually works (just skim the pp forums or the like) and run it after you've filled out some other less confined lists.

I deliberately try to avoid tier lists. They're far too restricting most of the time, and frankly I can't say that many of the benefits are worth putting my army list into a straightjacket.

Thanks for the thoughts. I think to begin with I will try to get a variety of units to play with. It will be a short jump to a tiered list for Ossyan.

oooo, Ossyan is who you're aiming for? Interesting. I can see why you've asked as you can get to tier four in 15pts (really low amount that) but you do have to have two riflemen units. That ain't good when you compare them to the Invictors and/or Strike Force.

However, you do get access to all the House Vyre warjacks, Hypnos, Arcantrik Force Generator, Heavy Rifle Team, Stormfall Archers and the Halberdiers. At 50pts I can see it working slightly. It's definitely not for the newer player but it isn't the worse theme list ever.

Depends on the caster/if I would actually play them tiered. I agree with the statement about mangled metal low points and cheap reckoners for Reznik. The casters I would play in their tier list are Kreoss2 almost always (tier 4 at 25 and up), Kreoss3 sometimes, and Harbinger possibly at 35 or below

Ossyan came with the holiday bundle. There aren't that many requirements which is why I asked. There are 2 other Ret. casters that can also cram in 4 tiers in to 25 pts, Garryth and Kaelyssa, but would be very light in warjacks.

Also 3 of the tiered list for Retribution are centered around Mage Hunter units, requiring 2-4 units depending on which list.

 tdwg83 wrote:
Ossyan came with the holiday bundle. There aren't that many requirements which is why I asked. There are 2 other Ret. casters that can also cram in 4 tiers in to 25 pts, Garryth and Kaelyssa, but would be very light in warjacks.

Also 3 of the tiered list for Retribution are centered around Mage Hunter units, requiring 2-4 units depending on which list.

I wouldn't be too quick to rush into even Ossyan's teir list really, as it will require you to double up on riflemen to start with, and you won't be able to use the Phoenix and Invictors that came with your bundle. It might be something that you work towards eventually, but, as others have said, it's usually best to branch out a bit and get a feel for the game before you go for a theme force.

I'm already branching out. I now have 3 different squads to play with. In victors, Mage hunters and riflemen. At this point, I think the halbereders will be necessary support for the riflemen.

Some tiers are very hard under 50 points.

Hence why most Blood, Sweat, and Tiers tournaments are held at 50.

Thats generally what I'd aim for.

Once again, it depends on the caster/tier in question. I really love Rhulic casters, and Ossrum's tier list has several very good benefits. Tier 3, for instance, allows you to play with all of your upkeeps already in play and with no upkeep cost in the first turn. You also get Trench templates for every two ranged units in the list at T2. T4 gives your jacks +2" of movement in the first turn, and I have punished overly agressive players for getting too close when they went first by shocking them with dwarvish speed. Ossrum's full tier can be played at a pretty low points level, and is quite effective at 35 pts for T3-4. At 50pts it is also quite good, easily rocking two trenches and some gunbunnies and heavies of your choice for Awesome Ozzy to run or Thor to Marshal.

However, is this better than the 14" deployment zone for playing Sear Forge, or getting Dougal MacNaille and Gorman di Wulffe for true horrors? Its a bit of a toss up (well, except for the Dougal/Gorman thing. Yikes.)

Most other tier lists are pants, to put it mildly. It won't matter WHAT level you play it at, it will always be terrible.

Ebutcher tier list is alright at 35pts.