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so i just picked up the latest CSM codex and im trying to build a good general list come all takers. Now from what im reading csm have the cheapest space marines yet(13pts/each), and then get to mark them for bonuses.

but what i cant decide is what to give my guys:

Khorn is okay with counter attack, but you need the icon to get furies charge and at that point might as well shell out for berserkers.
Tzeentch really doesnt do it for me on just regular CSM, a +6 invul is not realy worth the 2pts/modle, and the icon... just got for 1000 sons at this point
Nurgle is great for +1 toughness but 3pts/modle. and their icon is near ussless since more than half the armys out there have fealess or thou shall know no fear.
Slaanesh also a good one with +1 inish is a good way to get a one up on other sm and the icon of feel no pain is amazing and its one of the cheapest marks to hand out.

so i guess what im really asking is what would be better for regular CSM +1 toughness or +1 inish? btw i play against alot of blood angles and tau

This should really go into tactics.

Oh sry im sort of new to all this... how do i move this to tactics?

... wait this is tactics... wtf lol

I'm honestly not even sold on the idea of giving marks to regular CSM. You are on the right track in narrowing down to Nurgle / Slaanesh, because those are the only ones that should prove very useful. Tzeentch is worthless and Khorne, though nice - well you said it. You're better off getting Berzerkers.

I don't bother with marks on my squad of CSM. Give them CCW, a fearless icon if they need it, VotlW and call it a day. If I had to choose though against your opponents, I'd go Nurgle. It's less situational and will make your units tougher to beat in both Close Combat and Shooting. In assaults vs. Tau a higher initiative won't matter much (you'll be winning anyways). Against Blood Angels I5 might be nice though, and help balance things out against their more assaulty units.

Both Nurgle and Slaanesh marks are good on CSM squads.

Only downside is they can get expensive really quickly.

The khorne mark isn't bad at all. You get almost berzerkers for a bargain, and they are troops without taking a khorne lord. I actually think they are much better than regular berzerkers, especially on chosen with the extra attack.

Slaanesh and nurgle are both decent upgrades, but plague marines are just so awesome with all their bonuses and being able to field 2x special weapons on five guys.

Really I think this edition is going to be just like last edition. For your basic foot troops or drive-by rhino squads you want plague marines. 5 guys, 2x melta or 2x plasma.

The mark of slaanesh is nice, but on bikers or raptors, something fast that you want to assault with.

The mark of khorne turns chosen into blending machines. Very nice if you want a pricey close combat HQ in a land raider. Say Kharne or Abaddon.

Kevlar wrote:
The khorne mark isn't bad at all. You get almost berzerkers for a bargain, and they are troops without taking a khorne lord. I actually think they are much better than regular berzerkers, especially on chosen with the extra attack.

Slaanesh and nurgle are both decent upgrades, but plague marines are just so awesome with all their bonuses and being able to field 2x special weapons on five guys.

Really I think this edition is going to be just like last edition. For your basic foot troops or drive-by rhino squads you want plague marines. 5 guys, 2x melta or 2x plasma.

The mark of slaanesh is nice, but on bikers or raptors, something fast that you want to assault with.

The mark of khorne turns chosen into blending machines. Very nice if you want a pricey close combat HQ in a land raider. Say Kharne or Abaddon.

almost bezerkers but not fearless, WS5 or Str5 on the charge. If you add an icon, you are risking getting sniped and costing more. Not saying zerkers are good, because tehy arent, but CSM with MoK arent good either.

In fact, the question is to go with CSM or cult units. I'd opt for CSM being more cost effective: 10 men with VotlW, two special weapons (plasma guns or whatnot), Champion with power weapon, melta bombs mounted in a Rhino should be able to hold their ground until the cavalry arrives.

Honestly theres no reason not to just mix it up, I run 2 squads of Thousand sons with an unmarked squad of CSM for cheap objective grabbing.