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Perhaps something like this already exists and I do not know about it. If so, perhaps it needs to be a little more prominent (eg a sticky). What I was thinking of doing was creating an article (or set of articles) that essentially summarises key points on each army. Not the in-depth unit analysis or whatnot that veterans look for: more the kinds of things newbies care about.

For the content, I was thinking each army would need the following details:
* A summary of the fluff.
* A summary of how the army plays on the table (perhaps mention multiple, common play styles where relevant).
* A few example lists. Not super, tournament lists: just ones that a new player could build towards to get a well-rounded starting army. Some factions may only need one, others may need multiple (eg Guard may require an infantry-based list and a vehicle-based one).
* A visual overview. I was thinking of linking people to Dakka's Army Profiles of each faction, where they can see good examples of completed armies.

For the first step, I would like some input to those details. I doubt anyone would disagree they are important points, but should I add more?

I am currently undecided on whether we should also include things like a comment on painting the faction, a mention of the faction's current age (eg Codex: Space Marines is very up-to-date; Codes: Chaos Space Marines is currently one of the older, less up-to-date books) or relative power level (I am disinclined to include tournament stuff for newbies). I am also not sure if $$ cost is a relevant topic for the majority of factions, with only Sisters and Guard (I believe) being notably more expensive to collect than other factions. Perhaps a Pros & Cons section, which could roll all of those topics into them whenever relevant?

How many points should we make the starter lists out to? 1000 points for something relatively easy to achieve, or 1500 points for a longer-term goal? Perhaps both: a generic 500-1000 point core list, then a few 1500 point refined lists that build up on them?

I am also undecided on which factions to include. Obviously, all the core factions that have been around since third edition, but what about the newer ones? Adeptus Mechanicus (as one or two factions), Imperial Knights, Khorne Daemonkin, etc. Do supplements deserve a mention? The 'core' factions I believe must be mentioned are: Adepta Sororitas, Adeptus Astartes (each of the five separately), Astra Militarum, Chaos Daemons, Chaos Space Marines, Dark Eldar, Eldar, Necrons, Orks, Tau, Tyranids.

I will add more requests for help once this initial framework is completed. If you are interested in helping, please watch this space!

I think your idea of rolling lots of those smaller issues into one Pros & Cons section is a good one. I do think age of codex should be something that should be taken into consideration. Popularity of army, (since this will affect how easy it is to get help, as well as how likely your opponents will be to know everything you can do) as well as variation in viable builds are also good things to mention. Learning curve might be another good category to throw out. SM are pretty easy to learn. Dark Eldar? Not so much.

I would definitely mention all the armies, even the newer ones, as well as the supplements.

I actually tried to do this a few years back, but realized how daunting it would be a little ways in and quit. If you kept it up to date, it would be awesome.

1d4chan already does this just fine, with the exception of pictures.

Why not just contribute to what's already there?

Vote for 1d4chan.

 techsoldaten wrote:
1d4chan already does this just fine, with the exception of pictures.

Why not just contribute to what's already there?

 Elric of Grans wrote:
Perhaps something like this already exists and I do not know about it.

If it is already being done, I just did not know about it