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So, I've been getting into Age of Sigmar and Frostgrave this year. Never been much of a minis player before. My only exposure was playing some Fantasy boxed set something or other my friend had... like 12 years ago.

I've been eyeing the 40k stuff, but it's REALLY overwhelming. It's especially overwhelming, as I am not looking to get into it too much (stop laughing), but these two box sets (and their announced/leaked) sequels have me interested.

I mostly play with my teenage son, but some folks in my group (we play Imperial Assault and Descent etc... ) have shown interest in joining me. I don't really plan on playing at my FLGS or fielding any sort of competitive force. But, I would like to field a couple of armies to throw together.

My assumption is I could pick up say Deathwatch (or Calth) plus whatever the new box is.. as well as the new Deathwatch codex(?) and have enough to field some games with what's in there? Does the stuff in Calth have a comparable rulebook to play proper 30k? Would I need another rulebook for either?

I know I'm being fairly general. But, what would be the pros and cons of getting into either? I kind of like the setting of 30K more than 40K, but there is definitely less support for it.... BUT!!! That support seems to be growing?

Thanks. Sorry to be all over the place.

You could play Daemons. That way you have a force for AoS, 30k and 40k. A purchase of the mini 40k rulebook, Daemons codex and one of the two red books from FW would have you sorted for the minimum rules required to get going in all three systems.

 Eldarain wrote:
You could play Daemons. That way you have a force for AoS, 30k and 40k. A purchase of the mini 40k rulebook, Daemons codex and one of the two red books from FW would have you sorted for the minimum rules required to get going in all three systems.

I do have some Daemons already for AoS.

But, I'm not really interested in building a big 2000 point etc... army to play. The idea is to field 2 or 3 from the box sets to play just at my house. Also, with the added bonus of having some fun board games to play as well.

Both games look fun to me so that makes it difficult to really choose one. The reviews etc... on the web seem to rate both relatively equally.

Betrayal at Calth is a good buy. You could potentially field two 500 point space marine armies with that box, and get a good handle of basic units like tactical marines, terminators and dreadnoughts.

Warden wrote:
Betrayal at Calth is a good buy. You could potentially field two 500 point space marine armies with that box, and get a good handle of basic units like tactical marines, terminators and dreadnoughts.

Thanks! Is something similar not as easily done with Deathwatch? I guess half of them are Genestealers... which aren't super useful out of the boxed game?

There is a new Deathwatch boxed set coming out with a lot more Marines that aren't monopose. It comes packed with a Watch Captain, 5 Deathwatch Veterans, 5 Vanguard Veterans, a Venerable Dreadnought, and a Deathwatch Upgrade Sprue. The other force included is Harlequins with Eldrad. Projected price is $150. The Deathwatch alone are about worth that. Best part is that you could do whatever you want with them.

HOWEVER, Betrayal at Calth is a much better deal with two special characters, five terminators, thirty Space Marines, and a Dreadnought.

Personally I enjoy 30k as a rule system a lot more than mainline 40k. The rules are a lot more balanced and every Legion gets a bunch of fluffy options. Betrayal at Calth has everything needed to get started with whatever Legion you want long after you've finished playing the game that comes in the box.

eekamouse wrote:

Warden wrote:
Betrayal at Calth is a good buy. You could potentially field two 500 point space marine armies with that box, and get a good handle of basic units like tactical marines, terminators and dreadnoughts.

Thanks! Is something similar not as easily done with Deathwatch? I guess half of them are Genestealers... which aren't super useful out of the boxed game?

The models in Overkill are fantastic, but the Deathwatch side don't translate quite so well into 40k in my opinion. You can proxy them as different units, for example I use them as counts as sternguard veterans, but if you run them using their published rules they make for a bit of a strange force.

No such problems with the Calth box.

Of course, you could instead buy two start collecting! boxes and have two playable forces right away.

Thanks! Is something similar not as easily done with Deathwatch? I guess half of them are Genestealers... which aren't super useful out of the boxed game?

The Genestealer Cult makes a 600 point legal 40k army straight out the box - and it's quite an interesting one to use, too; it's currently 40k's premier "Holy Frak Where Did They Come From!" force, closely matched by Tyranids (specifically a formation which is also Genestealer-based), and Officio Assassinorium. The Ghosar Quintus Broodkin army datasheets are available for free of GW's page, if I remember right.

Why not both?

UK pricing... I added up.
BAC if you got separate... 190+ rough maths

BAC is 90-95....

Amazing value.