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So wanting to start a WHFB been a few year 40k player and with the changes with this 6ed and new codex coming out has made me stop gaming. I know nothing about fantasy but i know i like magic and spell casting also like almost all models with large shields. Looking to be semi-competitive with the list.

The magic heavy armies are Empire, High and Dark Elves, and probably Tomb Kings (Though I have never played them). All can be semi-competitive, tomb kings are a little more difficult to learn. Empire are varied with access to cheap spell casters and access to all 8 lores. The current Dark Elf book can create a bajillion dice for the magic phase, and I have only played high elves a few times so I cannot comment there

Magic is often a criterion people like to have in their armies, but I've never heard "large shields" before...

Anyway, the strongest Magic Army out there at the moment is Dark Elves. They'll be getting a new book soonish though, so now is perhaps not the best time to start. Other armies with a strong magic phase are High Elves and Lizardmen. VC and TK have a different approach to Magic. They're both pretty good at it, but rely on it a lot more: without it their armies simply don't work.

As for large shields, with a bit of modelling you can easily make any shields the size you want. TK models have relatively large shields anyway though.

Hope this helps!

Going to go with High Elves seen they have the most models i like and with thinking for them use going All mage's for lords and heroes core spearmen & bowmen special dragon princes (1 first choice) shadow warriors or Phoenix rares bolt throwers But then again the wood elves look really good to me to what ed is there book form

 riverhawks32 wrote:
The magic heavy armies are Empire, High and Dark Elves, and probably Tomb Kings (Though I have never played them). All can be semi-competitive, tomb kings are a little more difficult to learn. Empire are varied with access to cheap spell casters and access to all 8 lores. The current Dark Elf book can create a bajillion dice for the magic phase, and I have only played high elves a few times so I cannot comment there

I don't know how you can reel off magic heavy armies without including Vampire Counts. It's kind of their jam.

Bugaboo wrote:
Going to go with High Elves seen they have the most models i like and with thinking for them use going All mage's for lords and heroes core spearmen & bowmen special dragon princes (1 first choice) shadow warriors or Phoenix rares bolt throwers But then again the wood elves look really good to me to what ed is there book form

Sounds like a decent HE Army to me, though Shadow Warriors aren't very good, unfortunately. Awesome models, poor rules.

I can't remember exactly what edition WE is from (I think it's 6th) but it's old, very old, and desperately in need of an update. I would highly recommend not choosing them as your first WHFB Army, unless you REALLY love the models. Wood Elves are not a nice intro into the game.

O looking at a 2250 point lvl

Lizardmen have great magic (best new edition mage), and our shields are pretty huge (also DINOSAURS!).
Lizardmen are very good as a starter since they have the best LD in the game which makes them very reliable.
Just don't overload on the monsters they can be countered by gunlines.

I am curious what about 6th Ed made you stop playing and codex change.

I plan on finishing my tau and jumping into fantasy soon. Can't puck a army thou.

Maybe he's like me and hates how OP his new codex is.
Tau used to be so challenging and fun to play, now i just deploy and in around 3 turns collect my win, booooring.

I never get a turn 3 win but I don't play elite and or competition list. But hey I can never win vs dark eldar but eat marines for a snack.

Still trying to pick a fantasy army....

Main Options:

Lizardmen-Excellent magic, very solid troops, some skimishy options, and some giant monsters that are fun to paint.

Also, you're freaking DINOSAURS.

Empire-The best combined arms army in the game. You can take any of the 8 BRB lores, which gives you a lot of flexibility and fun. Great warmachines. On the downside, your stuff needs to work together properly; without your support units your stiff does not stack up as well.

High Elves-Great magic, great cavalry, great phoenixes, somewhat cheaper to start if you're going to use the Isle of Blood models. Definitely more of an elite army. Faster and more aggressive then Empire or Lizardmen, who tend to play more defensively. Also: HE have lots of troops with big shields.


All three of these armies have received new books for 8th edition, so they're all pretty decently balanced.

Other Options:

Dark Elves-Getting redone soon probably, if you really like the models/theme you could start but if gameplay is the major factor it's best to wait (the release will probably reign in certain combos, but I still suspect Dark Elves to have strong magic.)

Tomb Kings-Can do magic, lots of cool monsters and stuff. Steeper learning curve then the other armies mentioned, though.

Skaven-I don't know if a horde army appeals to you, but Skaven have good magic and are really horde-y. Fairly or not, they do have a a cheese reputation, though. Plus, you may or may not be the kind of person who enjoys painting 300+ models.

MY VOTE:

LIZARDMEN

Tough Troops, Lots Of Monsters, And the best BAsic Wizard.


Also we have a magical toad and an enraging toad model.