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So this about the Dark Vengeance Stater Bundle I'd like to get me and my younger brother started in the tabletop game even though I want to start a necron army, he's been playing through Space Marine and likes the Orks and Chaos. So would the Dark Vengeance Starter Bundle be a good deal at $160? Or is it cheaper to get the paint we'd need separate?

Not a bad deal at all, dark vengeance is always the best bang for your buck. Make sure to tell your local GW owner your getting a friend into the game and you might get a giftcard. I was given $50 giftcard for buying my friend dark vengeance. Nice deal if you ask me.

I'd say not really if you want to start necrons though as you'll be nowhere closer to starting those. That paint bundle looks like smaller than normal pots as well.

Even if you stick with GW paints, I’d avoid their tools. Not that they are bad, just massively overpriced.

And once you start not needing things in bundles, the value goes down.

Not a stellar deal, particularly if you don't want the models.

You can find the "start collecting" boxes online for $62-65 a pop, so get the Necron one and whatever your brother wants. Citadel primer is comically over-priced compared to just about any other type of primer, and the painting starter bundle is "meh", consisting of half-sized pots of paint.

You can find quality paints for around $2.50-3.00 depending on the brand (avoid GW unless you need it, more expensive for less). Also skip any GW tools/glues that you can. As mentioned above they're not bad - they're just stupidly priced.

In short, don't. Particularly if you already have the rulebook/templates etc. You can find the Dark Vengeance models on eBay for dirt cheap.

Its an awfull deal. The chaos part of dark vengeance is sold for around 30-50$ on ebay and you don't the sm part.





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If you want to buy necrons go and buy necrons. If you want to buy clippers etc go and walk into your local hardware store or lend some from your dads toolbox.

I personally would go with this. https://www.games-workshop.com/en-US/Start-Collecting-Necrons
Then have your brother get the get started pack for what ever army he wants, it will come out about the same price but you will be better off in the long run. That painting get started pack seems like a rip off to me due to the pots being so small.

And I think it goes without saying - don't buy ANYTHING direct from GW unless provided no other choice. The internet is your friend.

For brushes, go to an actual art supply store or unaffiliated hobby store (like a railway model store). For paints, I recommend Reaper HD series paints (high opacity), but Vajello has some great stuff too. For other tools, check Staples/Office Depot for X-acto blades and cutting mats, or a Radio Shack for nippy cutters and small pliers. Gale Force Nine sells most of the hobby stuff for far less than GW.

As to ordering stuff online, keep in mind shipping costs. GW doesn't discount, but they do offer free shipping past a certain dollar value, which not all retailers do. It can make some discounts basically disappear if you're not careful.

Nope. The paints are only 3ml each and spray paint is much cheaper elsewhere.

Well the starter game goes for less then $100 on eBay shipped. which would mean $60 for the citadel kit which is outrageous if you ask me, but then again I use cheap 2 for $1 paints from Michael's and find them just as good as Citadel and /or any other high priced brand.

Don't forget the ridiculous $18-20 can of primer!

Yeah... Dark Vengence doesn't have anything for you... unless you need a scatter die and the mini-rulebook. It's a good deal, but not if you aren't planning on playing those armies.
I wouldn't even recommend it for a normal space marine player... the iconography of the Dark Angels is overwhelming to try and remove.


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Asterios wrote:
Well the starter game goes for less then $100 on eBay shipped. which would mean $60 for the citadel kit which is outrageous if you ask me, but then again I use cheap 2 for $1 paints from Michael's and find them just as good as Citadel and /or any other high priced brand.

I disagree here. Get a good quality paint, and it will make your life easier. I painted my Necrons with craft-store paint. The large size of the pigment particles becomes noticeable when you thin them (and you always need to thin them). You don't need to spend GW prices, but buy paints that are meant for miniatures. Vallejo is good. So it P3.

 Rahshen wrote:
So this about the Dark Vengeance Stater Bundle I'd like to get me and my younger brother started in the tabletop game even though I want to start a necron army, he's been playing through Space Marine and likes the Orks and Chaos. So would the Dark Vengeance Starter Bundle be a good deal at $160? Or is it cheaper to get the paint we'd need separate?

As others have said (probably better than I will), no. For you, the Necron fan, this is a bad deal all around.

Buying the Necron Starter set (and the codex) would probably be a better deal, model wise. However, best deal for you (model wise) is buying the codex, making 3-4 lists of 1500-1850 points using models you like and/or think would be fun to paint, get feed back on them, pick one (maybe with 300-500 points of swapping) and slowly buying the models you need for that list. That way, you don't spend an extra 50-250 on stuff you'll never use. If the Necron Starter set still gets you the models your list(s) need, then go for it!

Then, buy primer from an automotive store or hobby shop (Michaels, Hobby Lobby, etc). Make sure it's Primer and that it's Flat/Matte, NOT glossy, semi-glossy, or Satin.

Then, buy just the paints you need. Maybe you need a full GW or Reaper Master Series or Valejo Gamer Series paint set, but 9 times out of 10 you won't touch 1/3rd of the paint except when looking for other paint.

Then, for gods sake, seal your minis! Spray them with a Matte Varnish (that you buy from the same stores above, in the same aisle, from the same company). Otherwise, your paint will chip or wear off and you'll be sad.

A smart man learns from his mistakes, but a smarter man learns from the mistakes of others! Happy gaming! Post pictures! Paint your toys!

I used a Mate gray RUST Oleum base spray for Dropzone Commander and now everyone loves the minis.

Buy Vallejo paints and use Army painter for wash. Totally recommended.

 Anpu-adom wrote:
Yeah... Dark Vengence doesn't have anything for you... unless you need a scatter die and the mini-rulebook. It's a good deal, but not if you aren't planning on playing those armies.
I wouldn't even recommend it for a normal space marine player... the iconography of the Dark Angels is overwhelming to try and remove.


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Asterios wrote:
Well the starter game goes for less then $100 on eBay shipped. which would mean $60 for the citadel kit which is outrageous if you ask me, but then again I use cheap 2 for $1 paints from Michael's and find them just as good as Citadel and /or any other high priced brand.

I disagree here. Get a good quality paint, and it will make your life easier. I painted my Necrons with craft-store paint. The large size of the pigment particles becomes noticeable when you thin them (and you always need to thin them). You don't need to spend GW prices, but buy paints that are meant for miniatures. Vallejo is good. So it P3.

I disagree, I've painted thousands upon thousands of miniatures and have found the craft store paints as good as if not superior then some of the more expensive brands too the point I use nothing but craft store brands and can mix and match for colors I need, albeit will use liquitex sprays for my priming needs and krylon for my coating needs, and my life is just as easy and costs a lot less too.

but on the other hand i'm not going for award winning miniatures either, i'm going for a good table top look and such.

I use the Folk Art and Delta type of paint too, but not all colors are good. I prefer these paints more for terrain and sometimes as base color for bigger armies.

Personally the DV set and GW paints are all bad purchases. Even for Dark Angels or Chaos, which are the featured factions, neither of them come with particularly cool toys or effective model options. Not to mention neither side is a legal army (DV does NOT come with Formations to make the factions legal) so you will have to buy more just to break even, so to speak.

I highly recommend one of the Start Collecting Boxes. For one, they are a complete army due to coming with a formation. They also offer some pretty good discounts. While the Chaos Space Marine one isn't that big, CSM does have other discount sets (Chaos Lord Cadre, any of the Traitor's Hate boxes, and if you're lucky you can find some older sets).

Another reason I advise against it is because the army that drew me into the game was Necrons too, but I decided to go the "Cheap" way and now am struggling to collect a Necron Army that I'm happy with (having missed out on the cool 3rd edition models). My advice: never buy an army thinking you can later "trade up" to the one you want. Always go straight for the one you love, costs be damned. You will not regret it.

As for paints, unless you want to be one of those pro-level painters and go to competitions, dollar store paints and some spray paints from craft stores will suffice. They come at a quarter of the cost of GW products while often being far superior. I use Krylon Matte sprays and (literally) dollar store paints and craft store inks.

In addition to the helpful advice above, I offer this...

Don't let your little brother play orks or chaos if you're playing necrons. After two games he'll quit the hobby. Talk him into space marines or eldar if you actually want an opponent at home.

 DeffDred wrote:
In addition to the helpful advice above, I offer this...

Don't let your little brother play orks or chaos if you're playing necrons. After two games he'll quit the hobby. Talk him into space marines or eldar if you actually want an opponent at home.

Just play using a CAD against Orks or CSMs. The base Necron book is decently balanced all things considered, its just the formations and Decurion that makes things really difficult for other armies to deal with.

 MechaEmperor7000 wrote:

As for paints, unless you want to be one of those pro-level painters and go to competitions, dollar store paints and some spray paints from craft stores will suffice. They come at a quarter of the cost of GW products while often being far superior. I use Krylon Matte sprays and (literally) dollar store paints and craft store inks.

I started my modeling hobby with craft store paints (Apple Barrel brand and similar from Hobby Lobby and Michaels), and they're OK. The darker colors (greens, blues, blacks, and brown) cover well, as do some of the metalics. Yellows and reds have not been great, in my opinion. However, once I made the switch to Reaper Master series, I haven't gone back. I prefer the higher pigment density of the RMS paints. I DO still use the craft store paints for large terrain pieces. They're perfectly fine in that use.

For starting out, they're just fine.

I noticed the same problem with the reds and yellows in the craft store paints

 Capt. Camping wrote:
I noticed the same problem with the reds and yellows in the craft store paints

I use the Craftsmart brand from Michael's mostly and don't notice too much of an issue with them.