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Hey all.

So I've not regularly played 40k since basically the launch of 4th edition, but I've been having a bit of an itch lately. I've followed along with the background and how the models and marketing has developed, and I have to say I'm a bit hesitant because the game seems so wide open now. Back in 3rd, if someone was starting, I'd say pick a codex, get two troops and an HQ. Now, I'm not sure where to start myself, what with datasheets, allies, formations, and unbound lists. I've picked up the 7th edition main rulebook and a set of objective cards. I've got a few friends in town who also have armies but haven't played since 5th, so it'll be a bit of a learning experience.

Now, my big concern is picking a force that's a) playable at smaller points levels when I'm at home and want a quick game on a small table, and b) easy to parse. That is, I play enough other games that I don't want a ton of distractions when it comes to 40k itself. I'm also not huge on flyers and fortifications, but I think mainly that's a matter of not wanting to carry them around to games - is it possible to build all-comers type of lists that can deal with flyers and fortifications without having them in your own list?

Thanks for any advice - I'm not sure what factions I'm interested in at the moment, other than NOT Space Marines, Tyranids, Orks, Dark Eldar, or Daemons. So that still leaves quite a lot of options, but I'll consider that after getting an idea on the other points of concern I've got above.

You've been recruited to the Guard, soldier!

What's that you say? You haven't put in an application? Don't worry, the Emperor has an application for every law abiding citizen already!

What you'll need a whole lot of infantry and tanks. Sounds awesome right? Because it is!

Okay, in all seriousness, I'd vote for the Guard for you. Plays well at all points levels, versatile, plenty of options, allies like a cheap hooker, and looks cool to boot.

You'll need the codex (Astra Militarum), and maybe the battle force. Personally, I'd just buy a bunch of guardsmen and tanks and go from there. Guard can do all comers without taking fortifications or flyers. You'll be gimping yourself a bit, buts its certainly doable.

I say, that does sound fun, but what if I told you that there was an army that allowed you not only the easiest in of any 40k army for a sufficiently skilled modeler, but which also have you access to mind control close combat weapons, heat rays, death rays, spider walkers, flying saucers and every other tool of classic mustache twirling sci-fi villainy available ? And all in a smashingly easy to paint package.

For the price of a regular 10 man troop box from another army, you get 12 troops and 3 free fast attack models-the highest points value of any troop kit in the game.

For the price of a light vehicle, you get a light vehicle that can be swapped freely back and forth to a command barge with no need for magnets as well as a free HQ model.

Each "build this or that" combo-kit can easily create both options with some extra legs and torsos from basic warriors.

Yes, if you're a more cunning man with magnet and clippers than paintbrush there really isn't an eyasier army to pick up on the cheap and looking smashing than the Necrons

 Blacksails wrote:
You've been recruited to the Guard, soldier!

What's that you say? You haven't put in an application? Don't worry, the Emperor has an application for every law abiding citizen already!

What you'll need a whole lot of infantry and tanks. Sounds awesome right? Because it is!

You were the TV announcer guy from Starship Troopers, right? Remember, enlisting guarantees you citizenship!

Grats on coming back to 40k, hope you have boatloads of fun There is plenty of anti-air in the game, and sure, you can take down fortifications. It's all in the playstyle! As you plan, small point games are probably your best bet, as you need a more diverse force in a large point game to deal with different threats.

Talys wrote:

 Blacksails wrote:
You've been recruited to the Guard, soldier!

What's that you say? You haven't put in an application? Don't worry, the Emperor has an application for every law abiding citizen already!

What you'll need a whole lot of infantry and tanks. Sounds awesome right? Because it is!

You were the TV announcer guy from Starship Troopers, right? Remember, enlisting guarantees you citizenship!

Would you like to know more?

Guard is one option; Tau are another good force for your requirements. They scale very well (ie, it's easy to add two 500 point forces together to get a playable 1000 point force, rather than having to redesign your list from scratch to play at higher points), and they have the best ground-based anti-air in the game. They're flexible, and there are very few useless models; just about anything can find a role somewhere.

With the Farsight Enclaves supplement you can take battlesuits as troops, too, so you can have a Force Org chart filled up with maybe a couple dozen models on the table.

Necrons, Tau and Guard are all compelling enough in their own way. I'm not a huge fan of the Cadian or Catachan models though, and don't want to lug around the no doubt weighty metals. Dreamforge seems like it'd be a nice alternative, but Tau and Necrons have the advantage of being almost entirely plastic and that way if I have to I can play down at the local GW too.

But leaving all that aside, what's a good way to start a list and a good starting points value to build and paint toward? Back in the day I would have gone for 2 troops, an HQ, and then whatever to get to 500 as a starting point, if that still holds.

500 can let you play against people that purchased Dark Vengence, but when I got back I really didn't have fun until 1000pts. The lists just felt... Dull when I can look online and see fliers, Main Battle Tanks, Monstrous Creatures. 7th is a whole new world but I made myself a little outline when I started my Eldar army from nothing.

500-750, Troop level HQ, 2 Troops and Transports and whatever from there.
1000-1500 Synergize list with psychic or area of effect buffs, 1+ flier, 4+ sources of anti-tank, 1 Formation or Ally
1500-2000 expect a Lord of War so bring one or make sure you can kill it, all the toys in the 7th Edition toybox including Formations, Allies, fliers and such.

Coming into 40K again with that mindset has actually made me enjoy it more than the people that have been here the whole time seem to...

Will also suggest Necrons because they have almost all the toys. No Formations or Allies I know of though, but plenty of fliers and transports to make it a good time with the shiny bits.