Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Hi all,

I'm a returning player, I played 40k between the end of 2nd edition through to early 4th edition. Obviously I have some work ahead of me in terms of catching up on rules and new content, but one thing I'd like to setup asap is a group of small armies for the weekly office game night. My hope is that I'll sucker in a couple co-workers into starting playing, but at least I know they'd get some use a couple times a month as a self-contained thing.

My goal here is to design somewhere between four and six 400 point groups that are well balanced against one another and hopefully show off each race's unique traits. Obviously I'm concerned about putting units in play that are too powerful or that depend on opposing hard counters, ideally every group should be composed of generalist units that can perform decently in most contexts. Ideally I'd also like to feature a light vehicle or some kind of elite troops as long as long as they don't break balance.

tl;dr fun is the priority

I've made a few candidates:

Space Marines


Tau


Tyranids


Eldar


Grey Knights comedy option


I'm not familiar with the meta or the new unit balance under 7th ed, so feel free to suggest ideas!

You should probably just ignore the meta, a lot of competitive play revolves around abusing power units rather than setting up fun games.

I think it's a pretty good start.

I'd drop the drones and replace em with some pathfinders or at least make the markerlight drones. One if tau's unique traits are markerlights, and gun drones are usually pretty meh for being 3 points more than a fire warrior.

Also with path finders you can throw in heavy weapons if that interests you at all.

I agree with Jaxler RE: Tau.

Here are some more ideas;

Necrons


Astra Miliwhatsit


Adepta Sororitas


Inquisition


Dark Eldar

If you want fluffy IG, go with a pimped vet squad or two.

Camo, sniper rifles and a couple of heavy weapons. Maybe even a scout sentinel. Not too competitive, but very fluffy for combat patrol.

That doesn't really illustrate a different playstyle from the others though - Veteran squads just make them play like any other elite army. There's too much crossover with the playstyles of the Marines.

Hud on a minty...

"and hopefully show off each race's unique traits."

Lasguns? Check.
Paper-thin armour? Check.

No mention of "playstyle" I can find... Unless I'm missing something?

Basically, that's what I'd consider a fluffy IG CP list. You can take it or leave it as you see fit.

I so read that as 'Hrud on a Minty...' >>

A Platoon gives far more insight into the unique traits of the Guard (Orders, lots of models, cheap vehicles) than a couple of squads of veterans though.

No Orks? Blasphemy!
A Trukk full of shootas, a squad of grots and choppa boyz to fill in the rest of your points. Maybe a scorcha buggy for fun.
Also, office game night is a great idea!

I don't have the ork book, so I can't throw an ork list together :p that's your job, ork.