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I'm looking at getting the starter set sometime soon, the one with the Space Wolves and Tau. But based on the roster builder on the community site it seems the 5 Primaris are only worth like 79 points.

So I'll need to add something, or does the specialists options cost points?

I was looking at Reivers but apparently they're not very good. I have some standard Marines but I'd like to stick with Primaris if possible. I also don't want to buy a $50 box for the sake of one model.

So what can I do to fill out that last 20 points?

Specialist options only cost points if they're above level 1, which you're not really supposed to do starting off. I'd suggest trying to get your hands on a Suppressor or an Eliminator since that gives you heavy long-range firepower your Intercessors can't really replicate; there are people on Ebay who do single-figure splits for Kill-Team, but that'd be $20-30 for one model when you could get three Eliminators for $40.

Yes, reivers are a complete fail in the close combat role. Even though you want to stick to primaris, taking a standard marine Sgt with a power weapon will help a lot. Or get an Intercessor Sgt and add a power sword. If you get the Elites supplement, you'll have access to the Vanguard Primaris in Phobos armor for improved sniper options, Terminators, and vanguard veteran and sternguard veteran marines. The vanguard veteran marine will boost your close combat capability. A Suppressor or Eliminator will give you some heavy weapons options. (The first has an Accelerator autocannon, the latter a sniper rifle with ammo options.)

Vanor wrote:
I'm looking at getting the starter set sometime soon, the one with the Space Wolves and Tau. But based on the roster builder on the community site it seems the 5 Primaris are only worth like 79 points.

So I'll need to add something, or does the specialists options cost points?

I was looking at Reivers but apparently they're not very good. I have some standard Marines but I'd like to stick with Primaris if possible. I also don't want to buy a $50 box for the sake of one model.

So what can I do to fill out that last 20 points?

Its worth keeping in mind that for every 10 points difference against a higher point team, you gain an additional 1 CP.

So for example, say I turn up with a Tyranid team of 100 points to play your Wolves at 79 points, you would then gain 2 additional command points.

Personally, I do wish they would introduce an expansion that provides more wargear options, to fill those odd points. For example, a Genestealer with synapse upgrade, or a Harlequin that could wield a Zephrglaive.

You are aware that 9th is just around the corner?

Even with 9th ed coming, which will supposedly also work for kill team sized games, I don't think it will have single models acting independently, nor alternative activation, nor other kill team rules. Even the 9th ed FAQ says KT aint going anywhere.. So there will still be some point to playing kill team even with 9th ed around.

Perhaps Strg Alt meant that the new Assault Intercessors and the Elite guys with shields might be added after 9th drops. They probably will, but it will be the Kill Team 2021 Annual and cost at least $30 US to get the new rules. So it still makes sense for the OP to go ahead and build his kill team for the current rules.
[Off topic: The reivers are supposed to be the close combat specialists. Why aren't they getting the 9th ed primaris CC gear? Instead, GW announces Assault Intercessors, a whole new unit! ]

tauist wrote:
Even with 9th ed coming, which will supposedly also work for kill team sized games, I don't think it will have single models acting independently, nor alternative activation, nor other kill team rules. Even the 9th ed FAQ says KT aint going anywhere.. So there will still be some point to playing kill team even with 9th ed around.

 Ancestral Hamster wrote:
Perhaps Strg Alt meant that the new Assault Intercessors and the Elite guys with shields might be added after 9th drops. They probably will, but it will be the Kill Team 2021 Annual and cost at least $30 US to get the new rules. So it still makes sense for the OP to go ahead and build his kill team for the current rules.
[Off topic: The reivers are supposed to be the close combat specialists. Why aren't they getting the 9th ed primaris CC gear? Instead, GW announces Assault Intercessors, a whole new unit! ]

tauist wrote:
Even with 9th ed coming, which will supposedly also work for kill team sized games, I don't think it will have single models acting independently, nor alternative activation, nor other kill team rules. Even the 9th ed FAQ says KT aint going anywhere.. So there will still be some point to playing kill team even with 9th ed around.

Cause reivers didn't get any other gear in their original kit I guess. Which is such a lame way to design a game. Honestly all they really needed was to have "power knives" with AP-2 and +1 attack and they'd have been a perfect chaf killer. And the annoying thing is that in the Dark Imperium Novel they HAD power knives.

 argonak wrote:
Cause reivers didn't get any other gear in their original kit I guess. Which is such a lame way to design a game. Honestly all they really needed was to have "power knives" with AP-2 and +1 attack and they'd have been a perfect chaf killer. And the annoying thing is that in the Dark Imperium Novel they HAD power knives.

If the intent was that reivers were to take the role of regular SM assault squads, they should have at least had the sgt able to take power weapons, if not all the reivers. Not to mention the fluff talks about CC terror troops. Chainswords are scarier than combat knives. Basically, it looks like a missed opportunity on GW's part.

yupp, a crocodile dundee in tights wearing a skull helmet isnt as skary as someone with a frickn chainsaw. Reivers are becoming moot, and might soon be relegated to mere conversion/kitbash fodder.