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Hello Guys/Girls,

So this got a little longer than I thought. I am starting 40k for the first time after being around, reading the codex, books and White Dwarves for the better part of 15 years. Every time I get interested in starting this game I find myself buying the rule book, a codex or 2 and then maybe a few models. And then other stuff getting in the way, or I find something else that I would rather get in to. (Damn you Flames of War…, just kidding I love FoW). Anyway I just picked up the 6th edition rule book and the last couple White Dwarves and have narrowed it down to three armies. I was wondering if anyone could offer some advice to a very indecisive person.

----- Crusade style Space Marine Army.
I love the look and fluff of the Space Marines and have always wanted to start an army for them. Plus with the new codex supposedly coming out soon, I know I will be like man I should have chosen Space Marines. I decided on a Crusade army after talking with a few people because I told them I couldn’t make up my mind on what chapter I would like to do. Plus when I have bought SMs before I always get bored of painting the guys, the same colors. This way I could include all of the chapters that I have thought about over the years, such as: Scythes of the Emperor, Lamenters, Ultra Marines, Omega Marines, Space Sharks, White Scars, Raven Guard, Etc. I would put like a crusade badge on their knee pads or somewhere and then base them the same to try to keep some sort of unifying theme. Then if I ever do decide to expand into different armies I can fit in Imperial Guard, Grey Knights and the like in easier.

----- Iron Warriors Chaos Marines.
I have always liked the Iron Warriors fluff, because I think they are the most relatable of all traitor chapters. I mean these are the guys who did all the crap work and got no recognition for it and finally they just got tired of it. Anyways, they seem to like to use the same tactics that I like to use in RTS games, according to their fluff that is. I would make my base of the army Iron Warriors, buying upgrade packs from GW and then maybe Forge World upgrades. Then I could include all of the specialty marines like 1k Sons Rubric Marines, Noise Marines, Plague Marines and stuff in their chapter colors to break up the painting. Plus maybe, eventually that is, get some of the awesome Forge World dreadnaughts. I would also like to include maybe some Night Lords in their somewhere because I think the upgrade packs are cool looking. If I wanted to expand I could always through in some traitor Imperial Guard in as well.

------ Orks
Orks are just cool. I mean they’re the only army in 40k that is just funny. I love a lot of the models. The idea of having lots of models on the board is appealing… if painting that much stuff isn’t. I went to Games Day in LA a few years ago, I think it was the last time they had it there (Even though I didn’t know how to play, or have an army, as I was planning on starting then). One of the guys was giving a talk and when he was describing the Orks he called them the soccer hooligans of the 40k universe. While talking about why Orks had bad rear armor he said something like, “Well their Orks. Their thought process was why put armor on the back, we’re not planning on driving backwards.” I thought that was hilarious. I would paint them up in the color scheme of Sheffield United to try and keep with the soccer theme (Never going to call it football as I am American and we are just stubborn that way ) My biggest concern is that since this is my first army, and I’m not that creative, conversions might be an issue for a while. Plus I can start using my saying of “I totally Apollo 13ed that”, which means to jury rig something.

If you have gotten this far thanks for reading, and any suggestions/advice you can offer would be most appreciated.

Thanks,

Well I play CSM, so I might be a bit biased, but they are quite fun. And Iron Warriors and Night Lords are both cool with fun backstories. Your Crusade Space Marine idea is cool too. And orks are always fun. It really depends on where you want to go with your forces. If you like the look of Forgeworld, then the HH: Betrayer might interest you if you like Space Marines. So I basically just said I like them all, I'll choose Space Marines due to being adaptable.

Chaos us my favorite army, but reading your post, I think you'll have the most dub with orks. They're a very God army and competitive to boot. Also, orks should be getting a new codex very soon.

Black Templars are the official "crusade" army. Otherwise youre bumming around policing a planet, or keeping your dark secret in the closet behind your garter belt. But I like your idea in theory. Figure out which chapters do each squad best and paint them accordingly. Imp Fist Devastators, Raven Guard Assault, Smurf Tacs, Dark Angel bikes DRAG racing, etc.

I have an Ork army, and while they are really fun to paint, the sheer amount of boys you need is daunting.

Iron Warriors.....Ive started some myself. Play em fluffy. Oblits and Forgefiends, played for gunline. Im a long ways off from having a usable force but Im looking forward to it.

Orks are my army of tournaments. But the codec is dated with minor rumors if an update this fall or early next year. A good army but probably not the best beginner army. It's difficult to get used to losing models to win and their primary survival tool is Cover which a couple armies and many weapons simply ignore. One if the more fun armies to play imo.

I planned to stay a chaos army with the last update, but no new models except engines and cultists but I don't want to play either of them, it's more codex demon engine than chaos marines. The fliers are powerful and feared/hated. Good but not great shooting and a variety of unit type options.

Marines is a solid starter army not too expensive or restrictive, but I get bored with then easily. They do have lots of variety in painting and themes. Though opponents may get annoyed with codex hoping.

playstyle and models looks are the most important choices when choosing an army. Fluff can be but many armies don't play like their fluff. Basic marines have access to strong Arty, decent fliers, and specialized units like sternguard. Da have fast redeploying unit shenanigans, strong med shooting or durability, Lots of bikes, and special wargear. Chaos has strong fliers, assault, monstrous creatures that fly, tough marines random upgrades and various flexible units for specific tasks. If you go forgeworld there are even more standard marine options.