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A friend sold off his armies before moving away but he gave me his bits box and some of his paints, sprays, and brushes. I haven’t played 40K since 2008, and I’m aware that there have been a lot of changes since then. But going through the stuff I received, I find that there is the makings of a small force and am considering whether to spend a bit to round out what I have instead of selling off the bits.

I have 10 DV space marines; 15 unassembled tac squad marines; the DV chaplain; an assembled but unpainted Razorback mounted with t/l lascannon; and for the tacticals, 4 missile launchers; a plasma cannon; a heavy bolter; several flamers; 2 plasma guns; a meltagun; a power fist; a half dozen power swords; a dozen chainswords; and assorted gubbins to decorate the marines (pouches, grenades, seals, etc). What immediately comes to mind is using the chaplain as HQ, two 10-man tac squads (one with the HB, one with the PC), and a dev squad with the 4 missile launchers and Razorback. If I were to invest $300 to round out this force (not counting the cost of a codex), what would be the wisest purchases? My first thought would be a pair of Rhinos and a Predator, but I’d like some input from the more experienced.

Regards,

V

So far so good with the tac and devs ideas. As for expanding, you'll want to decide where you want to go with the list before grabbing anything else. For example, you've got the choice of DA or SM codexes from the start, and then the various styles within those.

What I would suggest is picking up a Strike Force set, as that'll give you a captain (could be made a librarian without too much effort), a command squad (could also make some nice sternguard if you like), a couple more tac squads (always useful) and some scouts and ASM which you can either get more of or trade off for other stuff if you don't fancy them as much. You also get another razorback (which can double on Rhino duty), a drop pod (good if you get a couple more, or again could be traded away) and a venerable dread, which is not the best option game-wise, but if you're into painting/modelling it is a great kit.

Any ideas on where you want to head with the list style, as then I can give more specific advice?

My last marine army was shooty: Commander, chaplain, two 10 man squads w/Rhino, two 5 man squads w/HB Razorbacks; heavy bolters in all squads, 2 Predators w/lascannons, and 3 landspeeders w/multimelta. Since I haven't picked up the new codex yet, I'm not sure if I should duplicate what worked before. My main concern is not spending too much; $300 is about all I can go right now.

Thanks,

V.

I'd say shooty is still what marines do best, and on the whole, most lists you can make with the codex should do ok in a casual meta. If that's how you play, then I'd suggest a strike force box, as I said before everything in it is either usable or sellable should you not want it. If you have a limited budget, try and plan out your army list beforehand (ie. get the codex before anything else) so that everything you spend is worthwhile.

If you want shooty, then go Imperial Fists (or successor.) Normally missile launchers are rather mediocre, but IF trait makes them pretty good, especially against flyers.

If you go IF, you probably should avoid getting vehicles that have anti-tank as their main job, as in IF army that role is better handled by devastators.

It sounds like you inheirited a good, sizable, starting force. I would find a regular place to play, then purchase what you need next.
If you are running into a lot of Mob/Brood/Blob armies, then pick up some more anti-personel support. If the local players are running mechanized forces, then pick up something to help counter that. And like wise, if the local gaming environment's skies are filled with fliers, then anti-air is what you are going to need.

I second the strike force box. It has everything you need to get going and you can always add to the force as you readjust your play style to the new rules. I think it's going on Amazon for a fairly affordable price and you can probably throw in a predator or two for good measure.