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Hey guys. I actually started my mini gaming with Warmachine, and I love it.

I'd like to branch out into the granddaddy of miniature wargaming, but I'm very, very lost when it comes to Warhammer.

I've tried searching for guides and info, but let's be honest, Warhammer has been around for so long and there's lots of old, outdated stuff floating around. If any of you are familiar with Warmachine you've probably visited the Battle College at some point. If such a place exists for Warhammer I've yet to find it.

Are there any sites you'd recommend to someone completely new who isn't at all sure which army to pick or what direction to go in?

I'm interested in starting either Space Wolves or Grey Knights--but that interest is based entirely on aesthetics and theme. Any recommendations? What's the typical army point size you'd find people playing at your FLGS? What's the initial monetary investment required to start a decent well-rounded Space Wolves or Grey Knights list?

Any and all help would be appreciated. I hate to be the utterly ignorant newb, but I really did try finding answers to these questions on my own. My Search Fu must be lacking.

To start with you'll probably be looking to hit 1500 points.

It depends on the specific list type. Both Space Wolves and GKs can either run a fair number of guys in power armor, or a few guys in Terminator armor. The terminator lists will be cheaper to buy(but not necessarily the best choice)

You are probably looking at around $300-$400 to get a 1500 point army, but buying online can cut that down a fair amount.



I would buy the codex for the army you picked and a pocket rulebook, make a few lists that you like and price them out. See if some locals can give you a few practice games.

Pocket rulebooks can be found at various online retailers for $15-$20.

For Space Wolves, I found a good source to be space-wolves-grey.blogspot.com

Some info is a little dated, being from 5th, but most of it still applies or is easily adaptable. Their tactica are a great start and really help one understand the different troops and their roles.

Welcome! I just started my SW a couple months ago. It's been painfully slow for me, as far as acquisition goes. I'm glad you mentioned the Battle College, I've played one game of Warmachine and have been interested in playing more.

1500 is a good points value to shoot for, but people seem pretty willing to play smaller games as well.

Thanks for the info, both of you.

Badger, if you've got any questions about Warmachine don't hesitate to ask. I'm no pro, but I know a thing or two. Definitely check out the Battle College. It's a fantastic tool. I really wish something like that existed for Warhammer, but I suppose Warhammer is just too big for it.

By the way, I see 6th edition bandied quite a bit and I'm kind of confused. So when you say 6th edition are you referring to the core rulebook, or do SWs and GKs have 6th edition codices?

I think if I had one complaint right now to level at Warhammer 40K it would be that every model I think looks really cool winds up not being recommended. For example, the wolf riding Space Wolves. I'd love to field a unit of them, but they don't appear to be viable from what I've been able to glean. Luckily the GK Dreadknights seem popular, and those are amazing.

Yes, when they say 6th edition they mean the main rulebook (the small one from the Dark Vengeance boxed set can be found fairly reasonably priced on your preferred auction site). Both Grey Knights and Space Wolves Codex's were written in 5th edition (they still work well though!).

I'd totally suggest getting units you like rather than just units that do well. Eventually (if you choose to) you'll have a collection big enough to bring fun units to fun games, and competitive units to tournaments etc.

The update cycle for updating factions (codexes) is fairly slow.

6th Edition 40K rules just went into use, and will likely be in place for about 5 years, judging on past history.

The oldest codexes still in play were written for 4th Edition if i remember right (Tau, Black Templars, Orks, Eldar..) While most of the other armies have a 5th edition codex.

A few have been released since 6th Edition (Chaos Space Marines, Daemons, Dark Angels) or were written with 6th in mind (Grey Knights and Necrons).

Unfortunately it can take 10+ years of 0 model or rule update love for an army to get an update in 40K, as there are so many factions and GW tends to focus mainly on the Space Marines. This seems to be changing lately, with a drive to get everyone up to date, but we'll see where that goes.

I would suggest picking units that you like the look of, rather than fretting too much about what is 'viable'. ANY unit is viable, bit some just take a little more skill to use effectively than others, or are less potent for their points.

An example would be that i love the look of the DE Mandrakes. They are widely decried as the worst unit in 40K, or at least in the DE dex, but they look freaking awesome on the table top, and they do occasionally kill a unit for me or otherwise surprise me

I'm always far happier with an army that looks awesome to my tastes and does OK in battle to one that is stat-awesome but looks like gak. My budding Mono-nurgle Daemons are only so-so stat-wise , and while they DO look like gak, they are supposed to look like gak (and thus look like awesome gak! ).

I can only specifically talk about SW, but I think my main point applies no matter what.

When reading which units are viable, take it all with a grain of salt.

You'll find people that don't care for Thunderwolf Cavalry for example, and others that swear by them. They're an EXCELLENT choice, and can really be devastating. If you like it, take it. People get so caught up on 'competitive' lists they forget to have fun. Just because a list isn't the same as the few you see in tournaments, doesn't invalidate it.

Besides, IMO, a list you like, that seems interesting and maybe unorthodox is far better and more fun than running the same 'competitive' list everyone else runs.

I don't run TWC atm, simply because I think the idea of them is a little silly. However tactically, and visually I love them. I may try them at some point.

For SW, you'll also see a lot of people insist that a SW list isn't valid without LF. While they are also very devastating, and a solid choice, there are other units that will get the job done as well.

I have a list with them in it, that may be more the norm. I prefer to run a mechanized list I have, or a combination simply because it's more fun. How boring is it to say "Oh, my opponent has X army, which means he's going to have X list, I know how to defeat that, works every time." So, I take in all opinions and pick and choose to find what units I like, which builds make it interesting and a little harder to figure me out.

The great thing about SW, GK, and many other armies is that you have a lot of versatility with most of them. In SW at least, there really aren't any units that are totally worthless. Even Bloodclaws have their uses. I'm a HUGE fan of Skyclaws. They may be a little squishy, but they're a buzz saw with Mark of the Wulfen and a Wolf Priest to lead them become so much better. Every unit can be viable, it just depends on how well you know them.

When starting out, I found it helpful to have an idea of which units to get. With SW, to have a sound army earlier on, focus on your HQ (of which there are many awesome choices. I prefer RP as do many, but you can't really go wrong) and then get at least 1-2 units of Grey Hunters. That will give you a legal list that you can use to play some small games. I used that same list verses some Eldar. I lost, but I took more with me than any of his other opponents at that level and I was the only one that didn't get tabled. GH are some of if not THE best infantry unit in the game. Then expand from there. Plan on getting Rhinos for your GH as well. Ebay, Bitz Barn, and Discount Games Store I've found to be the best sources. Putting these units together and getting them table ready will give plenty of time for you to figure out other units, what play style you're going for and so on. The Great Company I chose also helped to focus my list as well, giving it a nice yet flexible theme.

Feel free to PM me, I'm still beginning as well, but have done a lot of research and will be glad to share what I know.

The main issue with starting out right now is 6th ed hit what 8 months ago? and vast majority of guides that have any positive reviews are for 5th ed. I was basing my orks off of a 5th guide for awhile before i realized wtf i was doing lol.
I know next to nothing about SW and GK, so i cant help on the army itself, but this game can eat your money VERY quick if you dont plan ahead. Like stated before the average game is around 1500pts (+ or - 250) so you want to get an idea of your army before you start buying if money is an issue. Stalk eBay too, often you can find good deals on there (i recently got 1250 USD worth of orks NIB for 700USD lol im done buying orks for a LONG time now).

GK does have a bit of hate on it though, theyre called the "Cheeseknights" by a lot of people. Their power is dwindling and theyre a bit more balanced but they are still nasty as hell if used right. The local guy that uses them i wouldnt use as experience for me fighting GK as he likes to send his Dreadknight blindly forward for 1 turn of its flamer then it dies as its my only thing to shoot at with my WHOLE army lol.

Yeah, I've been reading a lot about the GKs being cheesy. But man, I really, really love those Dreadknights.

I think being completely green around the gills should offset whatever advantage an overpowered army may bring to the table. Hopefully I won't get too much hate!

Ignore the cheese callers. Its not true anymore, not since 6th edition came out.

And just play the army you like.

 Grey Templar wrote:
Ignore the cheese callers. Its not true anymore, not since 6th edition came out.

And just play the army you like.

+1. You've actually got me curious about GK and the Inquisition. Going to start reading the codex.