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When it comes to starting an army it's obvious you need to buy the codex, but when it comes to the
army and models what would be the best way to sort out your purchases? I had a couple of ideas.

1.) Make a 500 (Or Higher) point list and purchase the models to make it

2.) Buy a CAD (1HQ, 2Troops, 1 Elite, 1 FA, 1 HS)

3.) Buy the models to make a formation from the Codex

I personally like the first choice, but what does Dakka think?

1: Buy models
2: Forget why you wanted to start that army
3: Repeat the last two steps

 Tactical_Spam wrote:
1: Buy models
2: Forget why you wanted to start that army
3: Repeat the last two steps

I can see why people would do that to have a little bit of each army for collecting reasons.

Codex, main HQ (Warboss, Captain, Hive Tyrant, Commander, etc), two well known troops (Termagants, Fire Warriors, TAC etc) and something to your taste for flavour.

In general, I think it’s a good idea to have a big picture in mind when you start out. There are a lot of things you might include in a 500 point list that you wouldn’t want in a 1,500. Particularly with formations these days.

It’s hard to go wrong with a HQ and two troops to start a 500 point list. You just want to make sure that you can keep using them. A lot of low point SM lists recommend librarians, but they are harder to work into a gladius. You might be better off starting with a chaplain. He’s also good at low points, and will come in handy when you start getting your company going.

So a little of “1” and “3”, although as a well balanced TAC Ultramarine, I’m also a big fan of “2”.

So all of the above!

1) get ahold of the codex, borrow someones if you can, or just buy it.
2) Make 20 lists for it, in varying point ranges
3) watch some youtube videos on that army playing
4) decide you dont like that army after all and just buy a starter kit for a completely different army because you think the models are cool
5) after playing with that starter kit and making that army, go back to the first army you were looking at and buy in to it.

 Nevelon wrote:
In general, I think it’s a good idea to have a big picture in mind when you start out. There are a lot of things you might include in a 500 point list that you wouldn’t want in a 1,500. Particularly with formations these days.

It’s hard to go wrong with a HQ and two troops to start a 500 point list. You just want to make sure that you can keep using them. A lot of low point SM lists recommend librarians, but they are harder to work into a gladius. You might be better off starting with a chaplain. He’s also good at low points, and will come in handy when you start getting your company going.

So a little of “1” and “3”, although as a well balanced TAC Ultramarine, I’m also a big fan of “2”.

So all of the above!

That's a good idea

Go to a store, find the coolest looking box you can find, buy it, find out what army it is, buy the codex, look at it, get 2 of the best troops and the best HQ, and go from there.

Innocence is bliss.

Decide your army theme first.

It really depends what you want from the game. Mostly I find people I play fall into two categories though there are certainly shades of grey in between:
1. Gamers who see 40K as a game and they want to win games and will want units that are optimal. They are not necessary WAAC players but they approach 40K as a game, the purpose of which is to win, (such as chess, checkers, cards etc).
2. People who love the cool looking models/fluff/modelling experience and want the models and to play a game with them. They tend to want to play out a bit of a story.

I usually refer to these as gamers (1) and wargamers (2) but that's just my own terminology. Neither is the wrong way to play the (war)game its just a matter of perspective.

If you're 1. Then research first, be aware of what are strong armies and what are weak. I would still ensure you collect something that you enjoy the look of too and perhaps the fluff behind as it will add to your connection with your collection, but try to select a strong codex. As previously mentioned, 1HQ and 2 troops is a good place to start but try and choose things that will add to a good final army list.

If you're 2. Don't worry about what is a strong codex. There are plenty of other 2s out there with equally poor or worse armies than yours. Unless people are playing optimally every army can beat every other one, some have a tougher time but who cares? It makes those wins even more satisfying. Go with what you enjoy. Still I'd start with 1 HQ and 2 troops and a after a few games you'll get a feel of what would add well to your list. Its still worth being aware what is strong (or cheesey) as you could accidentally marginalise yourself (i.e. choosing 5 imperial knights as your army).

A thing to note. If you're a 2, playing people in category 1 can still be fun but you will most likely enjoy your games more with other people more like category 2, I'd try and find at least one or 2 other people who enjoy the game you do or else you will become disenchanted with the (war)game fairly quickly. If your a 1, you can easily pad your win loss ratios playing number 2s but don't get upset if those players start to avoid playing you.

Read a relevant novel.
Buy a single box of troops and a transport/tank.
See if you enjoy assembling and painting that faction and get your test schemes worked out.
Get codex.
Buy the whole army in one hit, its way better for conversions etc.
Paint the whole army, don't get distracted.
Play some games.

 Icculus wrote:
1) get ahold of the codex, borrow someones if you can, or just buy it.
2) Make 20 lists for it, in varying point ranges
3) watch some youtube videos on that army playing
4) decide you dont like that army after all and just buy a starter kit for a completely different army because you think the models are cool
5) after playing with that starter kit and making that army, go back to the first army you were looking at and buy in to it.

Pretty much how it went for me. Started with C:SM built 3 kits, now up to 1000 pts in a Necron army. I'll finish those Blood Ravens some day.

For 40k I come up with an 1850 list and buy it. If I'm on the fence about swapping one unit for another, I might grab them both which also gives me a 2000 point list. For 30k I make a 2500 point list and usually buy a chunk at a time, enough to get free shipping so usually about 1000 points. However, optimizing lists is half the fun for me. If you are more of a fluffy gamer, my method is probably not the best way to do it. Also, building an army this way usually ensures it will be made obsolete the next time that codex is updated. I have no idea what I'm going to do with 30+ scatter bikes when their next codex nerfs them into the ground.

A starter set or a battle box is usually the easiest way to start an army. Moreover, look into Dark Vengence which comes with a discount today.

I tend to collect a field-able 2000-3000 points of an army and than move on to collecting a new army. Keeps things interesting for me and my opponents.

 Nevelon wrote:
In general, I think it’s a good idea to have a big picture in mind when you start out. There are a lot of things you might include in a 500 point list that you wouldn’t want in a 1,500. Particularly with formations these days.

It’s hard to go wrong with a HQ and two troops to start a 500 point list. You just want to make sure that you can keep using them. A lot of low point SM lists recommend librarians, but they are harder to work into a gladius. You might be better off starting with a chaplain. He’s also good at low points, and will come in handy when you start getting your company going.

So a little of “1” and “3”, although as a well balanced TAC Ultramarine, I’m also a big fan of “2”.

So all of the above!

This, pretty much.

1. Buy the codex.
2. Memorize and understand all of the special rules, wargear, point costs, etc and how the impact the game.
3. Decide on what style you want to play.
4. Do proxy games or borrow a friend's models.
5. Figure out what is the most points will play.
6. Make lists that work for a play style you like and at the points limit you set for yourself.
7. Buy, build, and paint models that work for your list. Start with 1 HQ and 2 troops, and build up from there.
8. Buy extra models that you like just so you can make substitutions if you want.
9. Buy all the models for that army so you can effectively field any unit and any play style. Also Apocalypse games.
10. Cry because you own all of these models and don't have them painted

 Kharne the Befriender wrote:
When it comes to starting an army it's obvious you need to buy the codex, but when it comes to the
army and models what would be the best way to sort out your purchases? I had a couple of ideas.

1.) Make a 500 (Or Higher) point list and purchase the models to make it

2.) Buy a CAD (1HQ, 2Troops, 1 Elite, 1 FA, 1 HS)

3.) Buy the models to make a formation from the Codex

I personally like the first choice, but what does Dakka think?

1)Play all every units as proxy a few times, then decide what is worth it and what you liked to play.

2)Follow your heart.

I'll build list after list until I have a 1500, 1850, and 2k list that I feel captures the theme I'm going for with the army while being ok enough to take something with me before I get tabled.

Then I math out exactly how many Kits I need for that list.

From there I tend to buy the models that cost the least but use the most points( usually starting with a Commander and a box of troops) And I finish painting each purchase before I buy the next one. I only count base cost for the kit and for the unit. Any extra bits, Like special doors or Shoulders or Weapons, and any unit Upgrades, like giving Special Weapons to the squad, do not count.

Transports however, DO count

It's just base cost of unit/ base cost of kit.

I buy all the models for the 1500 list first, then 1850, then 2k. I usually build the lists to escalate from each other

 Kharne the Befriender wrote:
When it comes to starting an army it's obvious you need to buy the codex, but when it comes to the
army and models what would be the best way to sort out your purchases? I had a couple of ideas.

1.) Make a 500 (Or Higher) point list and purchase the models to make it

2.) Buy a CAD (1HQ, 2Troops, 1 Elite, 1 FA, 1 HS)

3.) Buy the models to make a formation from the Codex

I personally like the first choice, but what does Dakka think?

First off do you know how 40K plays? Second have you already chosen an army? Third what is your play style. Once we know these 3 things it will be a lot easier to give you advice that is related to you instead of just generic advice for everyone.

Davor wrote:

 Kharne the Befriender wrote:
When it comes to starting an army it's obvious you need to buy the codex, but when it comes to the
army and models what would be the best way to sort out your purchases? I had a couple of ideas.

1.) Make a 500 (Or Higher) point list and purchase the models to make it

2.) Buy a CAD (1HQ, 2Troops, 1 Elite, 1 FA, 1 HS)

3.) Buy the models to make a formation from the Codex

I personally like the first choice, but what does Dakka think?

First off do you know how 40K plays? Second have you already chosen an army? Third what is your play style. Once we know these 3 things it will be a lot easier to give you advice that is related to you instead of just generic advice for everyone.

I have an army, and this is a general discussion.
But I'm considering starting SW or DE, probably the former