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Hi guys I'm a complete beginner to AoS.
I have mainly been interested in 40k but the small skirmish style of AoS has brought my attention.

At first I was leading towards Khorne Bloodbound but the concept/theme of the Free Peoples was just too awesome to pass- they feel like the underdogs, the people truly fighting for what is theirs.
Like humans in Aliens vs Predator?

Anyhows, I was quite disappointed to see no Starter Boxes for Free Peoples :(

What would be the most ideal way to start the army? (I'd like to start small)

I really like the Handgunners so I thought I'd start with them... What next?

And is there like a codex for Free People?
I wanted to see some of the colour scheme examples.

Thanks a lot!

I'm running an Empire army, or as they're known now, Free Peoples. I paint them in the old Talabheim color scheme, and you can check the army out here:
https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/697542.page

I started by picking up some eBay lots of old Empire models people were getting rid of, and seeing what Empire models I could find at various game stores. Some places had them at discounts and I was able to pick up the army relatively cheaply.

There is no codex, just their warscrolls. If I were to start, I'd get a 20-30 man block of handgunners, a 20-30 man block of state troops (freeguild guard in the rules) an artillery piece and a general and go from there.

Very nice army you have there! Looks fantastic!

So I guess handgunners are a start!

Would you know where I can see various colour schemes for the Free people? or would I have to look into the old Empire books?

If you can ge your hands on the old heraldry of the Empire book or however it is called, there's plenty of inspiration in that. Along with the older army books, of course.

I play Free Peoples too (well, mixed Order technically). The best unit you have is the Hurricanum and you should try and build a list around that.

The Pitched Battle scenario you will struggle with most is probably 3 Places of Power because heroes are weak and squishy and don't really want to be moving up aggressively. In my opinion that means a Freeguild General on Griffon is also a pretty important choice in your army.

Units that are good are: Crossbowmen, Handgunners, Swordsmen, Battlemages, Hurricanums, Hellstorm Rocket Batteries, Cannons

Units that aren't worth their points are: Demigryphs, Knights

Everything else seems something in between. The Steamtank is not worth it's points, but I field one as a moveable LOS blocker to keep my cannon crews safe on turn 1. Cannons are good, but Dwarf Cannons are much better.

Here's my current tournament army that I will use until GHBII this summer:

Allegiance: Order

Leaders
Celestial Hurricanum With Celestial Battlemage (320)
- General
- Trait: Master of Defense
- Artefact: Phoenix Stone
Freeguild General On Griffon (300)
Battlemage (100)
Grimm Burloksson (100)
Archmage (120)

Battleline
10 x Freeguild Archers (100)
20 x Freeguild Guard (160)
10 x Vulkite Berzerkers (120)
- Handaxe & Slingshield

Units

War Machines
Steam Tank (300)
Cannon (180)
Cannon (180)

Total: 1980/2000

I do not play super competitively (I am after winning best painted instead), and so usually finish mid table.

I hope this gives you some food for thought. My army is only 54 models which is nice for painting/transport.

https://issuu.com/mag_white/docs/uniforms___heraldry_of_the_empire_by_c