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Hey guys, a few weeks ago I got into warhammer. My friend introduced me to it and I really like it so its time I thought to get my own army.
The thing is some things still go over my head. There are so many options, I kinda feel lost. I've been looking at all the armies and I still have no idea, but I love reading people's opinions so I thought I'd ask here for suggestions and thoughts.

I've only played with space marines as well so I don't know much about how good the other armies are besides what I read....like how Tau needs an update(which is sad cause if they were good I'd pick them straight up) or how GK are really powerful.

So yea, could you guys give a noobie some guidance?

Thanks

Marines are always a solid choice for a beginner. I started with grey knights as out of all the marine armies, they are the ones I liked the models of the most. Now I am used to playing I am looking at getting a more challenging xenos army, maybe dark eldar or tyranninds to give me a bit of a change.

Dark angels get a new codex in jan and could be a good option, (check out the new models if you have not already).

So yeah, choose which army you like the look of the most, but if you want a more freindly first army, best to pick marines.

I was going with what looks coolest at first(Tau) but I'm just scared that I'll get stomped on all the time.

Find an army you like the look of first. Then read some of the fluff and background, then look at playstyle. I wish I did that from the beginning. I wanted sisters of battle, but was told not to because of the lack of a proper codex. Went thru tyranids, tau, dark eldar, Orks, chaos space marines. Then finally went to sisters and was satisfied and happy. Everyone is different.

http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Main_Page#.UNdiEm_BGSo

The above link is to the Lexicanum main page. Go there and read the background for all the factions. Then go to the GW website and find the models you like.

40k is a long term game, so pick something you like the look and feel of over how competitive an army is.

I guess I was getting too wrapped up in the competitiveness. I'll take your guys suggestions, it makes sense.

lettuceman44 wrote:
I guess I was getting too wrapped up in the competitiveness. I'll take your guys suggestions, it makes sense.

What's hard as nails competitive comes and goes, models are forever.

I agree, you have to go with something you like and will want to work on. Putting the army together is a long process and you'll be doing lots and lots of modeling and painting.

I went with Codex Space Marines for my first army b/c I knew they would be pretty straightforward for a new player to start the game with, and because I liked the look of the models. They're not exotic, but they are fun to paint and convert. Bits from GW and other companies are plentiful. You can also play around a lot with the paint scheme, and either go with an established chapter or develop your own.

But, yeah, definitely go with what you like. You'll be happier that way.

Well, I'd take vanilla Space Marines. It has a large variety of units and is decent to play. Marines are a forgiving army, while others like Eldar or Dark Eldar are not. Tau and Necrons are technically difficult to play, at least for the beginner. Horde armies have a different flavor and also need some experience to make the right decisions.

I always tell people to try DoW if they need help deciding on an army. A cheap way to see what the units do, and how the army looks and acts.

Well, what play style do you feel like you want to do?

If you want small, highly mobile units backed up by some serious firepower, play Meched Guard.

If you want something to drown your opponants in bodies, use Orks or Nids.

If you want an army where your guys just wont stay killed, play Necrons.

If you want to get a First Turn 'feth you' move, play Drop Pod Marines.

the list goes on...

cash decides . if you dont have a lot you cant start necron or IG. so what is left is SW. they have the best regiment box and a very good codex.

Tyranids are super fun but shockingly expensive. >:[

Thanks for all the responses guys. I appreciate it.


I'm looking at all the models right now.........so hard to pick lol. I've just been reading everything at the Lexicanum.

I know the feeling, right now am looking for a second army to take a rest from the grey knights, have narrowed it down to 3 choices but cant decide, Im letting dakk pick for me ha

Best thing to do is narrow down to 3-4 and go from there

I just posted this in another similar thread...

 cvtuttle wrote:
Though originally broadcast for 5th Ed these are still relevant. Might I recommend:

http://theindependentcharacters.com/blog/?p=1457

And

http://theindependentcharacters.com/blog/?p=1460

85% of this hobby is painting and modelling *or should be if your doing it right/don't want your army looking like bare plastic ass* as such you should ALWAYS pick the army you think is coolest as that will motivate you to build paint it. Also, YOU WILL GET YOUR ASS STOMPED REGARDLESS OF WHICH ARMY YOU PICK for the first little while until you get used to playing the game unless playing opponents that are equally new so I wouldn't worry about it.

#1 Rule of the game is have fun So go with what ya love!

Play Imperial Guard

Why?
Tanks and Planes

Well if you are looking for the most powerful army then I would say Orks. On the other hand, the coolest looking army is probably Orks. Lastly, if you are looking for the funnest army to play win or lose then I would say Orks.


WAAAGH!

 Greenizbest wrote:
Well if you are looking for the most powerful army then I would say Orks. On the other hand, the coolest looking army is probably Orks. Lastly, if you are looking for the funnest army to play win or lose then I would say Orks.


WAAAGH!

Dis git gets it.

Best thing to do, go to your local club/store/friend's basement, and look at the models in person. Look at all of them. Grab the box that looks the most interesting to you, check which codex it belongs to, and buy that codex (or borrow it, or look them up on lexicanum/dakkadakka) It may get you into a harder army right now, but power levels rise and fall. IG and necrons are two of the most face smashingest codexes out there right now. They were also crap before their updates. If you pick an army like tau or eldar, they'll probably get updated by the time you can field a proper army, so it wont be a problem.

A tip for if you decide to go orks, literally 95% of the codex can be built with nothing but boxes of boyz, some spare bits from friends, and plasticard. I've scratch made a ton of lootas this way and now I have almost enough rokkits to make a unit of tankbustas as well. Using parts from a trukk, you can orkify just about any vehicle kit you wish and make battlewagons or buggies. It's a really fun codex modelling, playing, and backgroundwise. My only regret was that i didnt start them sooner

Alright I think I want to go Tau. After looking at everything, the smooth lines of the Tau just......they look futuristic, and I love the fluff.

The ability to play a new race trying to make their mark on the world. While all the other races reminisce about the glory days, the Tau have yet to achieve it. They are the only race that have progressed in any way.


Yep.....think I made my choice.


How should I start? I'm gonna pick up the codex soon, but what are good units to acquire?

i would wait until the new Codex. It is May @ latest (most recent I heard).

And I would start with two Battleforces + a Crisis commander + Hammerhead Weapons frame.

 IHateNids wrote:
i would wait until the new Codex. It is May @ latest (most recent I heard).

And I would start with two Battleforces + a Crisis commander + Hammerhead Weapons frame.

So there is nothing I can buy now to help me out later(like basic troops?)

Because May is still a long time away......and I'm itching to play

Well, a Battleforce is better than buying separate for any army IMHO, and Tau is the best value (again my opinion) due to what you get being a legal army in itself.

And I suppose you could get a Dex now, but it seems a little daft considering itll be updtaed in a few months.

 IHateNids wrote:
Well, a Battleforce is better than buying separate for any army IMHO, and Tau is the best value (again my opinion) due to what you get being a legal army in itself.

And I suppose you could get a Dex now, but it seems a little daft considering itll be updtaed in a few months.

Oh, I thought when you said wait until May you were telling me to not buy anything until May.

No, thats daft by anyone's logic XD

but its an easy mistake I suppose.

Honestly, I don't play Tau atm, but I do play against them from time to time. I know that for sure crisis suits and broadsides are your best friends. The amount of fire power they can bring, and the relative mobility (if you roll well on 2d6) allows you to play a hit and run style that isn't available to most armies. Depending on how you can gear them, you can harass slower armies extremely well. Of course, from what I hear, fire warriors are the troops to go with since kroot are eh. If you like kroot though, go for it. Everyone's style is different and it's possible you can make them work for you. But definitely crisis suits and broadsides.

Kroot are Anti-GuardBlobs.

they infiltrate, and either soak a lot of fire, saving the rest of your army, or they are ignored and rip through said blob.

But YMMV, thats just the idea I try to pull

Ah sorry for misunderstanding you

Speaking of the Crisis suits, what the heck is up with them? They don't flow with the style of the rest of the army. They look big and bulky.
I looked at the Forge World models and was instantly sold. They look awesome.

Honestly, I don't know, but you're right about the FW models. Those things are so awesome. I've never checked out FW for Tau, it makes me want to play Tau!