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Hi all.

Im new to Warhammer 40k and Id like to start off with 500 point ultra marine army just to learn the game etc.

I have at my hands 2 x 10 tact squad (None Assembled)

1x 5 scout snipers.

also need help Equipping my Captian for my HQ choice,

all help appreciated!!

thanks!

On the basis that you're playing 500 points, I don't think a Captain is the best HQ option. Ideally, a Chapter Master is better, and then you want a relentless platform like a Bike, ideally, but Terminator Armour can also work. They cost 250 or so points, so not the best option for starting out.

Instead, a Librarian makes for a more useful and versatile HQ, at those points. How are your converting skills? There are a handful of simple conversions, but you could check out...

http://fromthewarp.blogspot.ca/2010/11/librarian-psychic-hood-conversion.html

Which shows, very simply, how to do it. Make a Staff-like weapon, and you're set. At bigger points, he's a counts-as Tigurius. I did something similar, to make a Hood for a Terminator Captain from the Deathstorm Box.

I'd probably start with something along the lines of...

65 - Librarian

85 - Tactical Squad [5]: Plasma Gun

85 - Tactical Squad [5]: Plasma Gun

85 - Tactical Squad [5]: Plasma Gun

70 - Scouts [5]: Camo Cloaks, Sniper Rifles

110 - Devastators [5]: 2x Lascannons


That would use all of your models, and fit 500 points dead-on. The Librarian joins the Devs, rolls on Divination. You might get a lucky power, but you'll get Prescience [Twin-linked] for sure. The Scouts set up somewhere to camp an objective. Your Tacticals move out, and shoot their way onto objectives.

This isn't the best 500 point list in the world, but I think it would work with the models you have. You might have to tweak the equipment, based on your available bits. No matter how tempting, DO NOT make a Missile Launcher. They are junk.

I'll second what tree said here. At low points you want boys over toys. So small tac squads with special weapons in each, backed up by sniper scouts, maybe some devs to help crack any potential armor.

Thank you so much! Will take this advice!

As much as I loved rockets before, they really don't get the job done now. Without the ability to blow a vehicle up (cursed ap3...) they just fall flat. Lascannons, multimeltas and grav cannons seem to be the rage now. At this level I like what they put out for you. Three small units to move around and grav objectives is very nice. When you move up to 750, then we can start looking at a captain, 1000 points for sure.

One thing to consider is what kind of list you want to build for later. There are a lot of ways to put an army together, and some things that you might take a low points don’t work so well in larger games.

There is also the limit of what you can make with what you have. If you have two of the basic tactical squad box, the only heavy weapons you have access to are missile launcher. While a decent jack of all trades weapon, they are a little lackluster overall

My general 500 point list is a bare bones HQ, a full tac squad, a 5 man scout squad, and then a fun unit. In your case, that looks to be a second tac squad, as that’s what you have.

Captains are not the best for small point games. They can be very good, but need to be geared up well to perform. Plus you usually want some way to get them into close combat. Bikes are best, jump packs can work. Depends a lot on the rest of your list. As for gear, there are different set ups depending on points and role.

As has been mentioned, you should build towards a larger list.

In this case, the 3 tactical squads, with an HQ form the basis of a CAD, quite nicely. At larger points, you can repurpose the Tacticals to be space fillers in command squads, devastator squads, even Sternguard, if your opponents aren't dicks about them not looking overly fancy. Or you could just use them as Tacticals, in larger squads.

I find that a 5-man tactical squad, in a Rhino / Razorback, with Plasmagun and an upgraded weapon for the Sarge [Combi-plas and Meltabombs, for the win!] is good, no matter the points you're playing. You can always use another 135 point objective thief, that can provide cover to an advancing Dreadnought, or Bikes, or even another Tank. The Rhino gives you more protection, and speed, than an equal value of marines, while still allowing your PG / Combi-P to fire from the hatch. If you don't want to use the combi, you can still fire a second bolter, or toss a Grenade if you're up close. If the Rhino gets wrecked, the Plasmagun has enough range and versatility to be useful fire support, if they get stranded in a Ruin someplace.

A Librarian with a Stave becomes Tigurius at bigger points values. He's a great choice for a Warlord and Buffmander.

The Scouts... well... they're an 85 point distraction, to be honest, that you can set up as bait / objective camper. They don't need to output much damage, if they score you an objective. They can also be used to control your opponent's movement, forcing him to dedicate resources to clearing an objective. No matter what he sends to clear out those scouts, they'll have drawn off much more than their points value.

These units also put you well on your way to building a Gladius, if you're so inclined. Not my cup of tea, but to each their own.

If you need bitz, such as Lascannons, you should check out www.hobbytitan.com . They're based out of the States, and I've had several positive transactions. They sent me some wrong bits, I contacted them with their part numbers, and they sent me the correct bitz free of charge. They even told me to keep the bitz they sent. Not that I have any use for a Terminator Appothecary upgrade, or Dark Angel shoulder pads... but the thought was there. They're out of stock at the moment, but... http://www.hobbytitan.com/warhammer-40k-space-marines-devastator-squad-lascannons-2x/ for $6 you'd have the bitz you'd need. Anyhow, I thought I'd give them a plug, since they've been good to deal with.

Thanks Everyone for all the help! ive been painting all day and didnt check this at all,

I think ive decided but also would love some help!!

HQ
Librarian lvl 1

Troops:

5 Scout Snipers - 5 Snipers - Camo Cloaks
5 Tacticals - Plasma - Sgt
5 Tacticals - Plasma - Sgt
5 Tacticals - Melta - Sgt
5 Tacticals - Melta - Sgt

And then i was thinking about a Rhino? just vanilla. Just to move troops a little faster etc.


Still up for some opinions!

The power gamer option is:

Captain: CM, Shield Eternal, Hammer, Bike

Bike Squad: 5 bikes, 2 meltaguns

Bike Squad: 5 bikes, 2 meltaguns

Total: 500

As for what you have, Rhinos are good, as are Razorbacks. For the Scouts, they are decent for 70 points; good at holding a backfield objective so your guys with special weapons can advance, and when they get shot at, they potentially have a 2+ save in a lot of forms of cover. They probably won't kill a lot, however, but such is life,

If you are playing a lot of maelstrom of war, consider taking scouts in land speeder storms. Buggers are quick, can blind low initiative opponents like Tau and Necrons with the Cerberus launcher, and be a general pain in the ass.

Typically, Points on a veteran sergeant is wasted: why buy +1 A and leadership when instead you could have a second plasma gun for a turn? As a marine, your leadership is already above average.