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Made in us
Regular Dakkanaut





As someone who's constantly looking at other armies tempted to jump in I'm curious what the approach is that people take to adding new armies to their collection. Do you build one up to a certain size before starting another? Jump around between several building them up together? Impulse buy when a model you like comes out and go from there? When you decide on an army do you start with a battalion? A few seemingly random kits you like? Or do something entirely different?

Personally I want to build almost every army at some point and I tend to get decision paralysis. When I decided to basically start fresh when I came back to the game I went with what would give me a decent 1000pt army for the least money possible so I'd have something to jump into playing and a solid base to expand from. But with the next army I plan to just start with a battalion and expand from there over time.
   
Made in ca
Longtime Dakkanaut






I just go onto Battlescribe and start building an army and include everything I would want to collect. I dont look at points values until I see roughly where I'll be sitting. Then I trim it down or build it up from there to round it off to an even number.

Then I sit on the idea for a while. Usually a week or two, looking at how much it's going to cost, coming up with alternative army lists and strategies I could use for the army in a semi competitive environment.

I'll come up with colour scheme ideas, thematic things I want to do with the army.

If I'm not bored of the idea after 2 weeks, I'll go out and buy it. Usually all at once because I like to airbrush the whole army in one sitting so I don't have to break up my work.

Sometimes I'll impulse buy a box of something that I really like and thats enough to prevent me from buying a whole army.

I currently have so many projects I need to finish It's unreal. And now with Sisters of Battle around the corner, it's going to be a nightmare.

Good thing the Chaos Marine line sucks and Primaris ruined my desire to play Space Marines, or I'd have a real problem on my hands.

Square Bases for Life!
AoS is pure garbage
Kill Primaris, Kill the Primarchs. They don't belong in 40K
40K is fantasy in space, not sci-fi 
   
Made in gb
Frenzied Berserker Terminator






 IronBrand wrote:
As someone who's constantly looking at other armies tempted to jump in I'm curious what the approach is that people take to adding new armies to their collection. Do you build one up to a certain size before starting another? Jump around between several building them up together? Impulse buy when a model you like comes out and go from there? When you decide on an army do you start with a battalion? A few seemingly random kits you like? Or do something entirely different?

Personally I want to build almost every army at some point and I tend to get decision paralysis. When I decided to basically start fresh when I came back to the game I went with what would give me a decent 1000pt army for the least money possible so I'd have something to jump into playing and a solid base to expand from. But with the next army I plan to just start with a battalion and expand from there over time.


I make a list of what I think will work as an army, while choosing the coolest units and then I collect around that.
   
Made in us
Powerful Phoenix Lord





I only play with painted models, so the very first consideration for me is "will I be willing to buy, assemble, and paint 3-4K points of these models?".

That narrows it down considerably. Keeps me from starting random side projects, etc. I also never ever buy an army according to an army list. Both of my current armies are around 5K points apiece, fully painted/finished. I buy models for most units in the codex that I like/enjoy. This also gives me a ton of variety for playing each army a dozen different ways. I see a lot of people get tired of playing an army because they only own 1500 or 2000 points in their army....so every single time they play it, it's the same list. Now that may seem logical for a tournament player, but it's feth-all-boring to a normal player.

For campaign based gaming, I want access to a large variety of units, but again this means I have to be willing to buy and paint those units. My first love was Eldar, so my current 40K army was firstly Eldar. My secondary army was Chaos Space Marine Renegades. I like marines, but I wanted a "bad guy" army, so I can fit easier into campaigns or larger team games. I have the Eldar who are stand-alone, or can ally with Imperials, and then I have Renegade Space Marines who are stand-alone or dedicated Chaos.

My other main rule is that I won't start an army until the current one is well underway/playable. This allows me to play with only painted stuff, as there is no "need" to try to put unpainted models on the table. If I ever do a third army, there won't be any issue because I have two large armies already complete to play with as I'm building/painting that army.
   
Made in us
Imperial Guard Landspeeder Pilot




On moon miranda.

I typically come up with a concept of a force, find which units I like the look or feel of, and then try to build the most effective army I can around those.

For instance, with my 5E CSM army, I was really into Terminators and Obliterators which fit well for Iron Warriors. In a 1750pt list, the army was built around 2 units of 6 Terminators, 3 units of 2 Obliterators, 3 units of mechanized CSM's, and a Daemon Prince. The termis and oblits would DS onto the Icons held by the CSMs after they advanced turn 1, the Oblits and Termis would break the line, and the CSMs would disembark and assault while the DP usually was the bullet sponge that died early. All fluffy units in fluffy quantities operating in a fluffy manner to good tabletop effect.


IRON WITHIN, IRON WITHOUT.

New Heavy Gear Log! Also...Grey Knights!
The correct pronunciation is Imperial Guard and Stormtroopers, "Astra Militarum" and "Tempestus Scions" are something you'll find at Hogwarts.  
   
Made in us
Monster-Slaying Daemonhunter





Well...

When I started Imperial Guard, my first army, I actually started with about three-dozen guardsmen second hand from a friend. From there, I just sort of bought what I wanted.

When I started Sisters, I review the tactica and carefully planned out my purchasing order and what units I would buy based on what I needed in my lists at each major size of game I played.

When I "started" Space Wolves, I was just given my friend's collection, because I had previously painted it for him, and only really look out for second-hand Space Marine tanks if they become available for cheap.

When I started Custodians, I bought the Talons of the Emperor set because it looked cool, and then didn't really do anything until the 8e codex came around and they became an actual army.

I'm considering Grey Knights for faction 5, and I'm planning out how I'm going to get units much in the same way I planned it out for starting Sisters.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2018/09/07 19:28:33


Guardsmen, hear me! Cadia may lie in ruin, but her proud people do not! For each brother and sister who gave their lives to Him as martyrs, we will reap a vengeance fiftyfold! Cadia may be no more, but will never be forgotten; our foes shall tremble in fear at the name, for their doom shall come from the barrels of Cadian guns, fired by Cadian hands! Forward, for vengeance and retribution, in His name and the names of our fallen comrades! 
   
Made in de
Longtime Dakkanaut





I usually start armies in pairs and go very slow. Right now I'm getting back into 40k and I'm starting with Necrons and AdMech, getting cheap sprues from Forgebane off of ebay and working myself up to a small patrol detachment for each faction, using the miniatures I like most from each respective range.

This way I can forge a narrative around the two factions, play small games with friends at my place, learn each faction's quirks and avoid overcommiting into something I might not enjoy anymore a few months from now.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2018/09/07 19:34:47


 
   
Made in gb
Longtime Dakkanaut




Tends to be a case of pick something I like the look of, be it a single model or something I think I'd like a certain colour scheme on - this is true regardless of the game really, models come first.

Then it tends to be a case of try to get it to a minimum playable size quickly, for 40k thats the two HQ & 3 troops, plus likely two supporting units of some sort - this is so I can try to use them but don't get utterly snowed under before I can have a game

This is why I have several 40k armies, while my 28mm Napoleonic armies are largely in boxes, need to build so damned many to use them..

I tend to have a couple of projects on the go at once to avoid boredom (partly why I signed up to Conquest - two very differnet looking armies), currently have Primaris marines, Orks and some 28mm Samurai going.

Once I have something I can use I'll try to get a feel for what works and what I like then go for what I like regardless...
   
Made in pl
Fixture of Dakka




I bought, what I thought and was told was the cheapest army for w40k. That is how I picked my army.

If you have to kill, then kill in the best manner. If you slaughter, then slaughter in the best manner. Let one of you sharpen his knife so his animal feels no pain. 
   
Made in ca
Commander of the Mysterious 2nd Legion





I tend to buy what I think looks cool and like the fluff for.

Opinions are not facts please don't confuse the two 
   
Made in us
Decrepit Dakkanaut






SoCal, USA!

I buy whatever I think looks cool.

Then I find that my eyes are bigger than my stomach, so I sell off a bunch of stuff.

Repeat.

Lately, I've been a little better about not buying as much stuff, so there's that.

   
Made in us
War Walker Pilot with Withering Fire




I tend to read a lot about the models (usually on 1d4chan) and go for ones that sound like fun on the tabletop based on how they will perform or if the lore/ideas are novel. Then build up from that as far as what a 1k point detachment would look like.
   
Made in us
Freaky Flayed One




Well my first army I bought a bunch of stuff I thought might be good, then actually went out and bought what WAS good, did like 0 research. Now that my last army is just about finished save a few models, I am looking to start a second army.

I decided I wanted to play a soup army, as my last army (Necrons) can't ally with anyone. Also, I have seen other people playing with Knights, and the models are just so cool, so I want it to have a knight, I think I am going to end up playing nurgle soup with renegade knights, it just looks like too much fun!
   
Made in us
Decrepit Dakkanaut




Due to limited funds and the fact most (almost all) my models have been destroyed in a fire, I no longer just buy whatever I feel like (but I still followed this process I've listed out). Instead:

1. I buy codices for the armies I'm interested in. Marine variants are interchangeable, so that cuts on cost, AdMech, and then Necrons. I also just got the Harlequins codex and Space Wolves is next.
2. Due to how much I used to play I'm always list-hammering. I'm ALWAYS making lists.
3. I narrow it to 4 or 5 lists I'm happy with.
4. I then buy the models or bitz to make the models.

Anything bought after that is strictly for pleasure building, but I broke this mold recently to get some Space Wolves models for my HQ dudes to butcher of course.

CaptainStabby wrote:
If Tyberos falls and needs to catch himself it's because the ground needed killing.

 jy2 wrote:
BTW, I can't wait to run Double-D-thirsters! Man, just thinking about it gets me Khorney.

 vipoid wrote:
Indeed - what sort of bastard would want to use their codex?

 MarsNZ wrote:
ITT: SoB players upset that they're receiving the same condescending treatment that they've doled out in every CSM thread ever.
 
   
Made in ca
Commander of the Mysterious 2nd Legion





going for what looks cool is important, rules come and go and by time you build that 2000 point space marine army the rules may well have changed, but "that looks awesome" lasts forever... well or until you grow up and realize what you thought was awesome at 13 just looks stupid to your 30 year old eyes

Opinions are not facts please don't confuse the two 
   
Made in us
Pyro Pilot of a Triach Stalker





The Eternity Gate

Simple and how I've got almost 10 faction armies.

1) Make a strong army list.
2) Buy army list, sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly.
3) Let new army sit I'm boxes for a few months.
4) Get around to assembling the list.
5) Get my first game in, realize my list sucks. Mostly because it was strong when I made it but the meta has advanced very far.
6) Feel bad for losing, make new list.
7) Buy new stuff.
8) Oh.... New army looks cool..... Maybe I'll make a list for them...

Rinse and repeat.

01001000 01100001 01101001 01101100 00100000 01101111 01110101 01110010 00100000 01001110 01100101 01100011 01110010 01101111 01101110 00100000 01101111 01110110 01100101 01110010 01101100 01101111 01110010 01100100 01110011 00100001  
   
Made in ca
Frenzied Berserker Terminator





Canada

Well...

It's probably an outdated practice but I always start with an HQ and two troops. Or rather I used to!

Now it's basically just grab a Start Collecting! box and away you go. In fact most armies can probably start with an SC! Box and then just grab a second one later on. I don't think anyone can argue that 2 SC! Boxes are a bad start...



Gets along better with animals... Go figure. 
   
Made in us
Posts with Authority





I plan out by buying just enough stuff to build a 1500 point list.

Then I spend days building and working on them.

I try them out, make sure they are what I want them to be, and commence painting. Add more stuff later.

Mob Rule is not a rule. 
   
Made in ca
Bounding Ultramarine Assault Trooper





See a new box set buy said box set with like 500 points of that army.

Leave it unpainted and unbuild for half a year.

Build it and then say you have an army of that faction.



Or see a used army online that's a good price looking at you nids

Have a 4000 point nid army for 200 $ and leave it in your closet for 2 years

Ultramarine 6000 : Imperial Knights 1700 : Grey Knights 1000 : Ad mech 500 :Nids 4000 : Necrons 500 : Death watch 500 
   
Made in ca
Commander of the Mysterious 2nd Legion





 mew28 wrote:
See a new box set buy said box set with like 500 points of that army.

Leave it unpainted and unbuild for half a year.

Build it and then say you have an army of that faction.



that's how I started my space wolvesd, I sat on burning of prosperio for awhile then realized "I should so something with this" one SC space wolves box later I had a decent sized space wolves army

Opinions are not facts please don't confuse the two 
   
Made in us
Regular Dakkanaut





 darkcloak wrote:
Well...

It's probably an outdated practice but I always start with an HQ and two troops. Or rather I used to!

Now it's basically just grab a Start Collecting! box and away you go. In fact most armies can probably start with an SC! Box and then just grab a second one later on. I don't think anyone can argue that 2 SC! Boxes are a bad start...
Yeah most of the start collecting boxes seem like a pretty good place to start. I don't like the craftworlds or drukhari ones though. I don't like that the craftworlds one has no troop choice or that the drukhari one has wyches instead of kabalites.

It's interesting seeing all the different approaches everyone takes.
   
Made in gb
Regular Dakkanaut



uk

Im doing Genestealer Cult for 7th.
1. Buy Code
2. Army box...worth it
3. Start collecting box...pointless, buy it cheaper separately!
4 Go on ebay for hybids/aberants..£25 for 5 figs come on...
5. go on ebay for better bargins.
6. go to FLGS for 15% off
Done.

 
   
Made in ca
Deathwing Terminator with Assault Cannon






Dark Angels - started with the 3rd ed. box. Sold off the Dark Eldar for some more Tacticals and picked up some various character blister packs. Gradually built up from there.

Eldar: Started with an Army box.

Knights: Bought a Knight, added a second one. I started considering them an army once I added a third one.

Custodes: Started with a unit of Custodian Guard from someone's Prospero box. I liked the models so I picked up a pair of the Talons of the Emperor box and gradually built up from there.

Imperial Guard: I had proclaimed that I'd start Guard once they had new models, so when the Cadians came out I kept my word and started with a pair of Battalion boxes. Most of the rest came from scouring eBay.

Primaris Marines: Got Dark Imperium and traded the Nurgle stuff for a second set of Marines.

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2018/09/08 12:04:42


 
   
Made in gb
Malicious Mandrake




"Wow! Those are cool models....."
   
Made in gb
Furious Fire Dragon





Midlands, UK

Instigation: "That looks cool, I could see myself painting up some of that."

Purchase: Buy Codex and Start Collecting, boxed game featuring the faction or just a few kits of what I think is cool.

Delay: Leave them on the shelf while I continue to work on the other project that I should be working on

Work: Eventually get around to assembling and painting, fail to get all the things that I would actually want for a list painted up before being distracted by the next thing.

Delay: Maybe after being distracted by the other thing, I may return and get some of the things I thought I was missing.

Eventually: 2 or 3 years later, have a painted army.

   
Made in gb
Fixture of Dakka




See an army that looks cool.

Spend time looking at their rules and lore to see if I'd like playing them.

Look at the models I'd actually use.

Leave it alone for a few weeks.

Come back and realise that I've lost interest or start a new army.

tremere47-fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate, leads to triple riptide spam  
   
Made in cz
Regular Dakkanaut




I start with my wife.
   
Made in us
Regular Dakkanaut





Kitane wrote:
I start with my wife.
Do you repaint her for each army or stick with the same colour scheme?
   
Made in mt
Kabalite Conscript





Hamrun, Malta

1) Choose army, based on looks.
2) Decide on colour scheme.
3) Get box of basic infantry to test scheme.
4) Get 'dex, work toward a 1000pt list based on a balance of stuff I want to paint/stuff that will be decent in a game.
   
Made in ca
Junior Officer with Laspistol





London, Ontario

My hooks tend to either be models that I like, or fluff.

Chaos Marines - Chaos Terminator models, esp Reaper Autocannon. This got me into 40k in 2nd Ed.

Dark Eldar - Came in 3rd ed starter that I split with my brother. I liked the space pirates, really enjoyed the play style and grew a substantial collection between 3rd and 4th edition. Quit playing them eventually, before the revamped models came out.

Space Marines Mk I - I like the Mechanicus fluff, and started a custom chapter using the “True Grit” doctrine that one of the codices allowed.

Cadians, Eye of Terror, Mk I - Guard has always been my fluff-love, but I couldn’t afford a metal regiment and disliked the Catachan models. Now, I could play an infantry horde backed by a few tanks and made an army.

Space Marines Mk II - True Grit went away, didn’t really like the paint scheme I’d chosen, so I rebuilt and repainted my guys as Imperial Fists, expanded my collection some, played a few games. Would eventually sell to a friend, whom I still play with.

Imperial Guard Mk II, Penal Legion - My Guard were no longer competitive, and the Doctrine codex was released. I rebuilt my infantry with “scavenged” chaos marine parts to represent the carapace armour upgrade. I painted them with prison-orange jump suits and white armour plates. If that sounds familiar, that’s because the rebel pilots on Hoth had the same outfit... which I hadn’t realized. Went to my GW store to have a game, someone pointed that out... I was unhappy. Not what I wanted. Determined I would only stick to established paint schemes from now on with only minor (!) deviations.

Eldar - I like the Avatar, so bought and painted it. I bought a Seer council, primed it... and that was my foray into Eldar.

Imperial Guard, Cadians, Mk III - 5th edition, my favourite a Guard codex. Rebuilt my infantry *again* by removing chaos marine bits, stripping the paint, reassembling, and painting in Cadian scheme. Substantially expanded, maybe 3000 points as of now, but I tend to play mostly the same style armies as I have models that I like to use and “got gud” with them. Many small conversions, custom characters. Guard is awesome if you enjoy building subtle conversions into your forces, especially for your non-lasguners.

Blood Angels, 6th edition - I wanted some simple Marines to paint / build. My favourite colour is red. I main a shooty army, and wanted a CC army. BA were a perfect fit of liking the fluff, crunch, and models. I love Dreads, and BA have sooo many options! Too bad BA rules would become utterly garbage for the foreseeable future...

Space Marines, Mk III - Ult-Red Marines - Vanilla SM codex was a better assault codex than BA. Changed crunch, Death Company became Legion of the Damned. Again, many custom Characters. Particularly like a tech marine I made using the back pack from a h Agg Bolter and a pair of fingers from a dreadnaught.

Kill Team - really haven’t bought much since 7th edition started. Hated 7th, already have lots of Guard for 8th. Bought 10 Necron Warriors off a friend that has way too many. Currently converting 5 into Flayed ones. Pet project for my children that expressed interest in Necrons and Nids (coming soon!) to play Kill Team with.

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2018/09/09 00:49:57


 
   
 
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