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Hello all,

I am very new to 40k and about to have one of my first battles.

I went with the Astra Militarum and bought 3 x Start Collecting sets, and that is all i have. What can i build with this list, and which tactics should i use with it?

Thanks for the help!

You could start with a Battalion for +5 CPs.

HQ
- Company commander
- Tank Commander

Troop
- 3x Infantry squad with SW and HW

Heavy
- 2x Lemun russ

Thanks for the reply - should i just go with the normal loadout for the tanks? and what about the commisars? Just ignore em?

Also - any idea how many points this can get up to? Don't have my codex here xD

seerex wrote:
Thanks for the reply - should i just go with the normal loadout for the tanks? and what about the commisars? Just ignore em?

Also - any idea how many points this can get up to? Don't have my codex here xD

Don't forget that for every Heavy Weapon Squad you build, you save two infantry models. That means you have about six guardsmen lying around that you can convert into Company Commanders or a Command Squad!

Hmm, if you were to just use the models on hand and you didn't want to buy anything else (not a single kit or bit), here's what you could probably field (following the rule of 2 for a 1000 point matched play list):

HQ
1) Company Commander: Laspistol and Chainsword
2) Company Commander: Laspistol and Chainsword
3) Tank Commander

ELITES
1) Command Squad: Grenade Launchers (not optimal, but it's either that or Flamers on a BS3+ model)
2) Commissar: Plasma Pistol and Power Sword
3) Commissar: Plasma Pistol and Power Sword

TROOPS
1) Infantry Squad: Mortar and Grenade Launcher
2) Infantry Squad: Mortar and Grenade Launcher
3) Infantry Squad: Mortar and Grenade Launcher

HEAVY SUPPORT
1) Leman Russ
2) Leman Russ

In total, that gets you in the neighbourhood of 800 points. Add some more Infantry Squads and you're at 1000 with a solid base to shoot for a Brigade Detachment for when you expand. Alternatively, throw in a Manticore or a Basilisk, split off your Tank Commander and now you have two detachments for a 1000 point list (a Battalion and a Spearhead).

For Leman Russes, the optimal weapons seem to be the Battle Cannon and the Punisher Gatling Cannon with the Demolisher Cannon and the Executioner Plasma Cannon a few steps behind. The Eradictor, Exterminator, and Vanquisher variants aren't that competitive, so avoid those unless you're going for a fluffy list.

Here's what I'd do to get you up to 1000pts:



It's basically what you have now plus 2x Company Commanders and 2x Basilisks.

For the Leman Russes, I'd buy yourself a ton of little magnets (they don't cost much, I got about 200 of varying size for ~£10 +postage) and magnetize the sponsans and front mounted gun, also don't glue the main gun onto the turret; just slot it on. This means you can switch which guns you want to use if you want to try different things out.