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I used to play 40k back in 3rd and a little in 4th, and I'm getting back into the hobby (working on a Raven Guard army, based around what I already have as much as possible). I have a friend who is interested, but has never played before at all and certainly isn't trying to buy any models before playing. I understand the rules well enough to give him an idea of what the game is like, but I mainly have Space Marines in terms of models for us to play with. I have some other models (such as a unit each of Termagaunts and Genestealers, a unit or so of Chaos Marines...), but not more than 100 points or so. I've got the following Space Marine minis available for the two of us to use; what would you recommend for a reasonably short, fun, but still tactical introduction to the game?

Various models for use as Captains, Lieutenants, Librarian, etc., with varied equipment including some with jump packs

40+ Marines, 3/4 or so with bolters, others with heavy weapons and special weapons, as well as sergeants

2 Rhinos

2 Land Speeders

Obviously this is just for fun, so proxying is fine and we're not concerned with WYSIWYG. Should I just split this up into 20 or so tactical marines each, plus a rhino, land speeder, and character, or do you think that would be too much to deal with for an introductory game? Any recommendations on a mission or victory conditions? Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

20 marines, a rhino, and a speeder each, along with a HQ or two each can be fine.

If you want you can say some of them are tacticals, others sternguard, maybe devastators depending on your weapon options, and maybe make the other army be space wolves or blood angels in order to mix things up a bit.

I'd try to make the sides roughly the same points / power level, and just go through the basics with him. Proxying isn't bad, but i'd actually think it would be easier to just stay mostly with the models you have so things are clearer for him. I think having 2 troops, a couple special or heavy weapon squads, a tank, a speeder, a lib, and a captain each would be fine to show him the ropes. The random jump pack or bike guy won't be bad, but i wouldn't go overboard with over complicating things.

1-3 objectives in the middle, or just a fight to death seems fine as far as missions go. And I probably wouldn't bother with chapter tactics, since that might imbalance and complicate things.

Like the starter sets, keep it simple. If he's never played before and not familiar with tabletop style games, I'd have no more than a unit of tacticals, a character and a light vehicle. (land speeder is a good example!)

For objective, get him to hold an objective and defend it, with you trying to claim it. feed him the units one at a time and use the phases to explain the basics of the rules.

Rules, I'd keep it simple. leave all USR's out, and strictly 3+ to hit. 4+ to wound (vehicle can be 5+), 3+ to save. I usually mention that there are more rules involved, but for now let's just focus on this.

Once you've had a few games you can start to expand including more rules, teaching him how to look up datasheets and even roll out of the BRB and play a proper mission.

Key really is to not overwhelm with everything straight away.

I'd say basic squads, nothing fancy, and mirror forces. 40k is complex enough that eyeballing the rules won't help you, so keeping some of the more weird rules out of it (like orders or mortal wounds) can help them grasp it. And being mirrors is important, as one of the things that can turn someone off is your units magically getting some ability they don't have (even if it's balanced). It makes them feel like they're not playing with a full deck.

Also, if they got time, do it escalation style. First give them 5 marines, then a full tactical squad, then a rhino for transport, then the speeder for gun support. helps if you build a narrative into it (like the marines being a scouting force, calling in the rest of their squad, then getting a rhino transport and speeder from company command).

Honest suggestion?

Wait this out. Only a hand full of codexes are out and the creep is real, if you have a 8th Ed codex your army is super strong right now. I'd you don't, your a very meh army right now. So unless you like fighting death guard I would wait form more codexes to drop.