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So I am looking to get back into the hobby (suddenly have lots of free time and disposable income). I have looked over all the codices and this is the list I have narrowed it to. Here is rationale for/against each one:

Dark Angels: For: Standard SMs with some nice tricks, like the fluff, When the new Tau comes out, I will be expanding into them for my second army (can take Tau as Allies), more forgiving to mistakes; Against: Lots of them out there, basic play style (both a good and bad), not a fan of most of the allies

CSMs: For: Strange SMs, Like some of the units a lot (Oblits and their melee counterparts); Against: Psychic powers are kinna meh (I like Psychics even after nerfing), Point Expensive for some not so great models, Elites are meh (even with the leader that makes them troops), not a fan of allies

Nids: For: LOVE the models and story, like the customization, completly different from 2nd army choice (Tau); Against: Older codex conpared to optimized 6th ed (for my other choices), 50/50 nerf/great updates, money expensive and time intensive to paint, no allies

Previously, I have experience with Orks and Necrons (exclusively). I do know that everything is subjective...but not sure where to start. I know once the Tau come out, I will be getting their new book right away and running sbs (Tau are the first army I saw and got me interested) but indeterminate time right now (from what I have seen. And I have read all the play styles and pros/cons out there...what I listed is what I see that is why I am wobbely...

So - don't just tell me 'Take X army' - what am I missing for reasons for/against, for those that have had to choose, what was the decider, etc. I will be looking starting collecting in late March/Early April

Thank you very much for your time.

Well, if you want Tau as allies, I'd go for Dark Angels. But Nids are probably the most competitive army when compared with DA and CSM.

DA and Tau fits well together. You can also get into DA cheaper since they are the starter army from Dark Vengeance.