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Hello!

I'm totally new to Warhammer 40k, I use to help friends paint models, but other than that, I have no background.

I really want to play Imperial Guard was was looking for a starting 500 point starting list that will eventually scale up to 1000/2000 pts. The only requirement I have is that it includes at least one Leman Russ model or variant. The reason being that I simply want to paint one very badly! If anyone could supply me or help me reach such a list I would be very grateful -I've been having trouble getting an 8th edition list together (previously a friend had suggested a 7th edition list but the point values are off now).

Howdy there! Did you know what kind of army type you wanted to focus on? I threw you together a quick list that's kind of generalized; Commander with three infantry squads with optional heavies and specials, backed by a Demolisher and a deepstriking Scion squad. If perhaps you wanted to focus on armor, you have a lot of toys to play with. Cheers!


++ Patrol Detatchment (Imperium - Astra Militarum) [27 PL, 494pts] ++

+ HQ +

Company Commander [3 PL, 30pts]: Chainsword, Laspistol

+ Troops +

Infantry Squad [3 PL, 70pts]
. 5x Guardsman
. Guardsman W/ Special Weapon: Grenade Launcher
. Guardsman w/ Vox-caster: Vox-caster
. Heavy Weapon Team: Missile launcher
. Sergeant: Chainsword, Laspistol

Infantry Squad [3 PL, 58pts]
. 5x Guardsman
. Guardsman W/ Special Weapon: Grenade Launcher
. Guardsman w/ Vox-caster: Vox-caster
. Heavy Weapon Team: Heavy bolter
. Sergeant: Chainsword, Laspistol

Infantry Squad [3 PL, 72pts]
. 5x Guardsman
. Guardsman W/ Special Weapon: Plasma gun
. Guardsman w/ Vox-caster: Vox-caster
. Heavy Weapon Team: Lascannon
. Sergeant: Chainsword, Laspistol

Militarum Tempestus Scions [3 PL, 66pts]
. 2x Scion: 2x Hot-shot Lasgun
. Scion w/ Special Weapon: Plasma gun
. Scion w/ Special Weapon: Plasma gun
. Tempestor: Chainsword, Plasma pistol

+ Heavy Support +

Leman Russ Demolishers [12 PL, 198pts]
. Leman Russ Demolisher: Heavy Bolter, Heavy Bolters, Storm Bolter, Turret-mounted Demolisher Siege Cannon

++ Total: [27 PL, 494pts] ++

Edit?: Leman Russes are hellishly expensive for what they can do, but Hellhounds are pretty decent if you wanted to try those.

Zuri's list is very competitive.

An alternate route.

First purchase:
Cadian Command Squad: $25
Start Collecting: Astra Militarum $80
Cadian Infantry Squad: $25

You can make a company commander, two specialists (melta and plasma are my suggestion), a counts as astropath, and a counts as vindicaire from the command squad box. Use the lascannon for the infantry squad.

Now you've got a cool 331 points, if you put 3 heavy bolters on the leman russ. you can load it down for bear with lascannons if you like, but I wouldn't.

Next up:
Cadian Infantry Squad: $25
Heavy Weapon Squad $40
10 60mm bases $10

With that and a little converting, you can make 13 weapon bases instead of the 3 that the normal kit lets you make, because they give you the 3 of all 5 kinds of weapons. Skip the autocannons, they're not worth it right now. The missile launchers are debateable. Definetly make the mortars, the heavy bolters, and the lascannons.

Now you can add an extra HWT to your second infantry squad, and you can bring two HWS to battle. That'll get you to 500 points easily, but you'll have a very sit back and shoot army.

You can instead go for more infantry, but without heavy weapon teams they lack punch.

Astra Militarum is a fun army to build and paint, but it isn't going to be cheap on your wallet.

Zuri!

Thanks that was EXACTLY what I was looking for -something with a Leman Russ (I just have an affinity/liking for that model). The list you provided is perfect.

Ideally I'm hoping the list can scale up (would be cool but totally extra if you had a 1k and 2k version of the list!)

Thank you so much!


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 argonak wrote:
Zuri's list is very competitive.

An alternate route.

First purchase:
Cadian Command Squad: $25
Start Collecting: Astra Militarum $80
Cadian Infantry Squad: $25

You can make a company commander, two specialists (melta and plasma are my suggestion), a counts as astropath, and a counts as vindicaire from the command squad box. Use the lascannon for the infantry squad.

Now you've got a cool 331 points, if you put 3 heavy bolters on the leman russ. you can load it down for bear with lascannons if you like, but I wouldn't.

Next up:
Cadian Infantry Squad: $25
Heavy Weapon Squad $40
10 60mm bases $10

With that and a little converting, you can make 13 weapon bases instead of the 3 that the normal kit lets you make, because they give you the 3 of all 5 kinds of weapons. Skip the autocannons, they're not worth it right now. The missile launchers are debateable. Definetly make the mortars, the heavy bolters, and the lascannons.

Now you can add an extra HWT to your second infantry squad, and you can bring two HWS to battle. That'll get you to 500 points easily, but you'll have a very sit back and shoot army.

You can instead go for more infantry, but without heavy weapon teams they lack punch.

Astra Militarum is a fun army to build and paint, but it isn't going to be cheap on your wallet.

Thanks Argo!

I'm actually quite fortunate to be in a position where money isn't a factor! I recently had a liquidity event (sold some digital media properties) and I'm looking to have a hobby for the first time in 7 years.

I am heavily considering having this army painted "level 5" by Den of Imagination so that it's turnkey and ready to go! I'm starting at a low point value because this is my first foray into the game and my friends are building 500pt lists to learn the ropes alongside me

Don't forget- for an extra 35 points you can move that russ from Heavy Support to HQ as a tank commander. He can then give orders to other Russ', and hits on 3s instead of 4s (standing still of course). If you find yourself becoming a tread-head like me you can have a lot of fun, but may not win too often. Which it sounds like you wouldn't mind all that much, also like me. Here's an idea if you start considering mech guard (although again, infantry based seems more competitive)

https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/732011.page

Things a wanna be AM player is eyeing, as AM friends are killing me with them.

-Taurox Prime with Gattling Gun. Nasty Unit, tons of bullets, lower end of points cost for firepower.

-Tempestus Squads. (Friend of mine is having fun dropping two Squads of Plasma on top of my Marines, that his tanks cracked open the turn before with their Battle Cannons.

Leman Russes, w/ 3 HB sponsons. The HB sponsons add mass shooting on a durable platform. If you want to mulch hordes, you grab the HBs and take whatever Russ gun your list needs to do the job. (Preferably a 24-36 in gun. Demolisher is my first choice.)

Conscripts + Commisar. *Unless GW needs this. And money is really no object.* 1 Commisar, 1 Platoon/Company Commander, and 50 bodies serves as the perfect road block to stop people from assaulting your tanks and keep your opponent 12 inches away from the blob or else take 100+ shots. In a edition that a hail of las fire can still kill something, these guys are your dangerous friend.

Sample list at 500 pts. Rough list
1 Company Commander,
1 Commissar
1-2 Tempestus Squads (Plasma is more effective then Melta at this low point level.)
1 Blob of Conscripts (Blob size varies based on remaining points from the rest of the army.)
1 Leman Russ Demolisher

General Strategy.

Leman Russ forms the center of your deployment with officers in front of it with the conscripts covering the front and sides of the tank and officers. Drop Tempestus on the enemy by turn three making a great number of marine armies very sad.

(Also, when taking units like Tempestus, I personally prefer pairs.)

After some consideration, go with either argonak or zuri's approach. Much easier on the wallet and you'll have plenty of troops to pick from once you start building up to bigger lists. I will absolutely recommend wherever possible to magnetize your special and heavy weapons. Its easy to swap a turret once you have a few tanks at your disposal, but when you build your infantry and decide you want a flame instead of a melta that can be costly, time consuming, or both. Magnets make that decision (at least in modeling and painting) take seconds instead of hours.