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I have been a fan of multiple YouTube channels with 40k batreps but I have yet to start collecting models. A friend of mine started playing 40k about a year ago at a local shop and now they are starting an Escalation League. They told me this is a good time to start an army since it starts low and grows in points. I am a huge fan of tanks (WW2 German Tanks) and I decided to play Astra Militarum. The issue that approaches is that it seems that it would be cheesy to play a Tank Commander at 500pts but I am not a fan of wasting money and I know I want an armored focused army. I have two lists here that can both build into what I would want in the future except I would waste money on a Company Command Squad. My friend told me he brought a Predator and his roommate took those Ostrich things from AdMech in a 350pts game. I'm torn on possible cheese and a less cheese list lol. Help me dakkadakka with your wealth of knowledge.

List 1

HQ - Company Command Squad - Company Commander (no upgrades), 2 Veterans w/ Lasguns, Veteran Autocannon Team. All Veterans have Carapace Armor


Troops - 2 Identical squads of Veterans. 7 Veterans w/ Lasguns, 2 Veterans w/ Plasma Gun, Veteran Sergeant with Las Pistol and Power Fist. Units both have Grenadiers upgrade and both in Camo Netting Chimeras



List 2

HQ - Tank Commander in an Exterminator with multi-melta sponsons and lascannon w/ camo netting
Punisher with triple Heavy Bolters

Troops - 2 identically naked Veteran Squads


I'm pretty torn on what versions of Leman Russ I should take. Oh and the other armies are going to be Eldar (new Eldar), Chaos Space Marines, Tyranids, Space Wolves, and AdMech

at 500 points, what will they have to deal with two leman russes? not much...if you want to win, go with that

We are putting money down each month for a prize at the end.

If theres money involved; play the russes. List 2 all the way.
moreover, here's some fine tuning.

Spend 40pts; that tank commander wants to be Knight Commander Pask. Remove the heavy bolter sponsons from the punisher and Move Pask here. you now have 20 S5 shots that Rend; Re-roll to hit rolls of 1 (preferred enemy) and re-roll failed wounds/armour pens (crack shot). watch as he evaporates a unit within 24" every single turn, armour, infantry or otherwise. lose the upgrades on the exterminator; and consider the Eradicator variant instead as his sqauadron buddy. that's a S6 AP4 Lrg Blast with ignores cover, that you can fire on the move. will be useful against camo and bikers, which I imagine will be your biggest threats. keep the infantry as safe as you can. opponents who have any sort of threat on those tanks will ignore the marines entirely. opponents that can't scratch the paintwork will annihilate your troops.

Hope this helps?
GamerGuy

Thanks


Automatically Appended Next Post:
When I go to 750points I will be getting chimeras for the veterans and upgrades

that's a solid core for larger point games as well; at 1000 I'd want 3 veteran squads, grenadiers, triple melta/plasma, PaskPunisher and a buddy/buddies.

at 750 a pair of Chimeras are a solid choice, and some armour n weapons on those vets will really help them out. depending on the places you play; you might find the forward sentries doctrine serves you better than grenadiers due to a boosted cover save (3+) theoretically besting a (4+) armour roll. look into finding the rules for autocannon chimeras? I hear theyre available from forgeworld; and would make them play closer to your WW2 inspiration; threatening other tanks at heavy 2 S7.

I read elsewhere that the vets will most likely never get out of the chimera so wouldn't the third special weapon be a waste since it only has two fire points? Or should thebthird be a flamed in case the chimera is charged?

I would say go with the tank commander list. It will be hard hitting but it is much more interesting and personal than the first list. I always chose a list that I like because of the models and theme and never anything else. You won't be happy with the first list because you have said yourself you want an armoured force. Never waste your money on things you don't want or need and never pass over models which you really like. Personally at the end of the day I enjoy my lists because they are personal and themed to me, some are not competitive at all but really look the part and for me that's all I need. I am sure you can make your chosen tank and commander look unique and fitting for your league.

Another site I read that veterans tend to hardly leave their transports. Why would I put triple melta on a squad if chimeras only have 2 fire points? MWG website did have something about two special weapons and then a flamer just in case the chimera was assaulted