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I know a lot of people recommend buying DV but I have little to no interest in either of the armies available in that kit. Should I just buy it anyways and try to pawn of the DA guys and Chaos guys for some vanilla marines? The big issue is my nearest FLGS is 45 minutes away and I know NOBODY there yet. The money is something I can handle (Budgeting and not dropping all that cash at any one time) and the time invested would be easy enough for me. Also, are Space Marines THE BEST choice to start out? I've heard that they are something of a double edged sword in that the player is tactically stunted because the good old Astartes are so powerful. So please, ANY advice will help.

The first thing to do is decide what army is best for you. This depends on how you want to play, if you like the background etc and what you want to paint. Marines can be a little boring to paint as most of the time they are simply one colour.

That's kind of why I was leaning HEAVILY towards Space Wolves. I love the Vikings IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNN SSSSSSPPPPPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACCCCCCEEEEEEEEEEEEEE background, I can basically use Vanilla Marines painted up as SW guy's (Correct) and mix in the wolfy bits once I feel confident in my painting skills. I've also heard they're still a power armor army, but they're not as forgiving as vanilla marines.

I've never played Space Wolves so can't really comment on how well they play, they are still power armour though and I don't see a reason you couldn't use vanilla marines for them.

You might want to consider getting the DV boxed set as you can trade the figures included for some Space Wolves and you still get the rules etc.

Well I found the book, dice, etc etc from DV for $35 american which is like (I dont have the symbol for pounds sorry) but 23.35

Not too bad then (I don't understand why US keyboards don't have £ but UK keyboards have $)

Oh there's probably an ALT code for it. We don't even have a degree's sign. it's sorta BS. But yeah, I think I'll order that, Maybe grab a SW codex tomorrow, and memorize the rules and the codex. Once I'm done with Necroplis because my head over heals love with the Tanith First cannot be described in words.

Tethgar wrote:
my head over heals love with the Tanith First cannot be described in words.

And no one should ever try to do so. My only question is 'When the hell are they going to release the next book?' I'm having to read Horus Heresy books while I wait.

If you have no interest in either army, and don't know anyone who would like the armies out of the box, I can't see a reason to buy it. If you are only interested in the rule book, you can find them on ebay for decent prices that won't involve the work of selling all the models.

If you do choose space marines, you could probably make use of the DA guys in the box. My army has been painted and modeled to use both DA and C:SM codex for a long time. They look more DA like, and no one ever gives me flack either way. If you just have the chaos guys to get rid of, just let people at your FLGS know you want to sell them, shouldn't take too long.

As far as "are Space Marines THE BEST choice to start out?", I don't really think there is an absolute BEST choice. There are armies that are less forgiving than others to new players, but it boils down to your personal opinion.
There are many factors that go into picking an army. Do you like the models? Do you like the concept/playstyle/fluff(if that is a factor for you) of the army? Do you care more about WAAC or fun to play armies?
For example my friend getting into the game loves modeling and playing, but not painting, so playing a high model count army isn't for him.
After all you will be making a decent time and money investment into your army, you might as well pick one you like for your own reasons.

I will offer my personal opinion, and you can take it as you want. I started with C:SM/DA in 3rd, and I love them. I find them to be relatively easy to paint/model. I think they are an army that is "easy to learn, harder to master". Others may disagree with that, but what I mean is that it is pretty easy to put a fairly balanced TAC list together. At the same time you can set up more complex and competitive lists as your army grows. I also found them to be a little more forgiving for new players to learn. That's my two cents, YMMV.

Foster wrote:

Tethgar wrote:
my head over heals love with the Tanith First cannot be described in words.

And no one should ever try to do so. My only question is 'When the hell are they going to release the next book?' I'm having to read Horus Heresy books while I wait.

I only have the first omnibus for now. but I also have Dead Men Walking and the first Horus Heresy book. I will live. On a side note. DO you know anything about paypal?

I have all the current Gaunt's Ghosts books.

Yes I do know about paypal.

 pwntallica wrote:
If you have no interest in either army, and don't know anyone who would like the armies out of the box, I can't see a reason to buy it. If you are only interested in the rule book, you can find them on ebay for decent prices that won't involve the work of selling all the models.

If you do choose space marines, you could probably make use of the DA guys in the box. My army has been painted and modeled to use both DA and C:SM codex for a long time. They look more DA like, and no one ever gives me flack either way. If you just have the chaos guys to get rid of, just let people at your FLGS know you want to sell them, shouldn't take too long.

As far as "are Space Marines THE BEST choice to start out?", I don't really think there is an absolute BEST choice. There are armies that are less forgiving than others to new players, but it boils down to your personal opinion.
There are many factors that go into picking an army. Do you like the models? Do you like the concept/playstyle/fluff(if that is a factor for you) of the army? Do you care more about WAAC or fun to play armies?
For example my friend getting into the game loves modeling and playing, but not painting, so playing a high model count army isn't for him.
After all you will be making a decent time and money investment into your army, you might as well pick one you like for your own reasons.

I will offer my personal opinion, and you can take it as you want. I started with C:SM/DA in 3rd, and I love them. I find them to be relatively easy to paint/model. I think they are an army that is "easy to learn, harder to master". Others may disagree with that, but what I mean is that it is pretty easy to put a fairly balanced TAC list together. At the same time you can set up more complex and competitive lists as your army grows. I also found them to be a little more forgiving for new players to learn. That's my two cents, YMMV.

I haven't read any of the books on the Space Marines but I've played EVEYRTHING with Dawn of War in the name. I played Space Marine when it came out, I've spent countless hours on Lexicanum reading up on them. And thank, I do find this information extremely helpful. Thank you for your input. Also, I did find the mini rulebook on the cheap on Ebay I plan on ordering it tomorrow. I will also be picking up a Codex tomorrow. Which once I pick will mostly be decided my flipping through them and looking at some of the differences.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Foster wrote:
I have all the current Gaunt's Ghosts books.

Yes I do know about paypal.

I Swear Bragg's mother was an Ogryn.

Never mind I figured out my issue. Sometimes it's nice to find the helpful side of the internet.

Remember that unless you really dislike the models, there's nothing preventing you from using the dark angel marines in dv as vanilla marines

BTNeophyte wrote:
Remember that unless you really dislike the models, there's nothing preventing you from using the dark angel marines in dv as vanilla marines

Probably harder to pull off using them as Space Wolves though.

Do this go to your FLGS talk to people find someone with the same army who plays it as you. Ask them if you can read there codex and ask them what they like then maybe buy it. Then play a game with a box or 2 of guys. Then play a game or 2 with your models to learn the rules. Then keep expanding

Foster wrote:
Not too bad then (I don't understand why US keyboards don't have £ but UK keyboards have $)

a bit off topic but alt and 3 give the pound symbol

££££

You literally need to just read up on the races and pick whichever one tickles your fancy the best.

I picked orks because i am always an orc if i can be, and theyre downright hilarious and easy to convert things (i got a few good conversions in my gallery now). But they are NOT easy to play because their saves for the most part is the cover they get. Boyz spam is obvious but boring, so finding any other tactic isnt easy. I got crushed for quite awhile, but didnt care because i knew my army wasnt as worthless as i was playing and i loved the models too much to give up.

Dont pick a race because its "the thing to do" for starting players. You do realize even for a small game you will be paying ~$500 dollars at the minimum and thats not even reaching the normal 1500-2000pt games people play at usually (not even CLOSE to reaching it) unless you play a specific army and know exactly what models you need to get to the right point list youre shooting for....which is possible but you limit yourself to that one tactic only and everyone will know what it is untill you expand.
Hell, i know a guy that plays exclusively Tau because he loves the Gundam-aspect they got. Tau w/o allies kinda struggle, but he still plays them because hes an anime nut.

 Vineheart01 wrote:
You literally need to just read up on the races and pick whichever one tickles your fancy the best.

I picked orks because i am always an orc if i can be, and theyre downright hilarious and easy to convert things (i got a few good conversions in my gallery now). But they are NOT easy to play because their saves for the most part is the cover they get. Boyz spam is obvious but boring, so finding any other tactic isnt easy. I got crushed for quite awhile, but didnt care because i knew my army wasnt as worthless as i was playing and i loved the models too much to give up.

Dont pick a race because its "the thing to do" for starting players. You do realize even for a small game you will be paying ~$500 dollars at the minimum and thats not even reaching the normal 1500-2000pt games people play at usually (not even CLOSE to reaching it) unless you play a specific army and know exactly what models you need to get to the right point list youre shooting for....which is possible but you limit yourself to that one tactic only and everyone will know what it is untill you expand.
Hell, i know a guy that plays exclusively Tau because he loves the Gundam-aspect they got. Tau w/o allies kinda struggle, but he still plays them because hes an anime nut.

I went with SW because I can run Melee or Ranged or a mix. Even though Every says GH or bust I still like the idea of keeping a squad of BC's on hand to tie up enemy melee units.

How about orkz?

 djphranq wrote:
How about orkz?

Greens not my color.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Hive Fleet Lazarus wrote:

Foster wrote:
Not too bad then (I don't understand why US keyboards don't have £ but UK keyboards have $)

a bit off topic but alt and 3 give the pound symbol

££££

Alt 3 gives me hearts ♥♥♥♥

Tethgar wrote:

 djphranq wrote:
How about orkz?

Greens not my color.

Thing about this game is you dont have to follow the exact guidelines for any army. Ive seen people paint their orks with blue skin, red skin, or even purple skin. Red skin wouldnt be a bad idea then you could lead on saying theyre Chaos Orks lol (which i keep hearing that there ARE rules for but ive yet to find them).
Theres one guy that went above and beyond with the customization rule - i forget what race he counts as but he made an entire army of mechanized Beastmen for 40k. Totally legal provided its still GW bitz, looked awesome as hell, and was exactly what he wanted in an army since he built it. Hes on the P&M Showcase forums somewhere....

 Vineheart01 wrote:

Tethgar wrote:

 djphranq wrote:
How about orkz?

Greens not my color.

Thing about this game is you dont have to follow the exact guidelines for any army. Ive seen people paint their orks with blue skin, red skin, or even purple skin. Red skin wouldnt be a bad idea then you could lead on saying theyre Chaos Orks lol (which i keep hearing that there ARE rules for but ive yet to find them).
Theres one guy that went above and beyond with the customization rule - i forget what race he counts as but he made an entire army of mechanized Beastmen for 40k. Totally legal provided its still GW bitz, looked awesome as hell, and was exactly what he wanted in an army since he built it. Hes on the P&M Showcase forums somewhere....

If memory serves the Chaos Orks where Khorne only and more of a WHFB thing

Thinking about going with 90 GH`s with bolstered 1 rune priest

I would agree with what most people have said on play the army you want to rather than go buy dark vengeance. Although its a crazy deal for what you get its hard to get excited for an army you are meh about.

From what I read space wolfs seems to be the one that you want, good thing they have power armor as a tau player I envy those saves.

Well, now that you've decided which army you're going to play, there are a few things to do.

Firstly, you really ought to get a copy of the rulebook. Thankfully it's pretty cheap and easy to get a copy of the DV rulebook from the internet (some people buy the box just for the models and have to find some way to get rid of the extra swag). Start reading.

Secondly, you should get yourself a copy of the SW codex and really, really get to know it. I've owned the current guard codex since day 1, and even now, four years later, I'm still reading it for inspiration, and even occasionally finding new stuff.

Whilst you're doing all that reading, you should also start with the more fun part of it all - the hobby. Go and look at popular space wolves lists and notice those things they have in common. Buy a few of the most common units and put them up in the most common configurations.

You can either go with new kits, or sift through ebay for something. Another thing you can do is kitbash. Buy DV, for example, and sell off the chaos stuff, and use the proceeds to buy a box of space wolves and mix together the DV marines with bitz from your space wolves,

Once you've got a relatively firm grasp of the rules and a nicely painted 750 point army, then I'd start looking to get out and play somewhere, even if it is a bit of a drive.

 Ailaros wrote:
Then I'd start looking to get out and play somewhere, even if it is a bit of a drive.

Surprisingly, this is probably the hardest part of the hobby. However, once you start, it's pretty difficult to stop.

And I'm lucky enough to have TWO small FLGSs in my small city, but I've driven that far for games before. The last two tournaments I went to were that far away for me.

Plus, if you play low point games with small-model-count elite armies, you can easily get a couple of games in in a single evening and still make it home by a reasonable hour.

Back when we were doing our escalation league, we had a person play 5 games in an evening at the 500 point level. Of course, his army list was basically coteaz, two small units of henchmen, and a dreadknight. Pretty fast to play.

 Ailaros wrote:
.

Once you've got a relatively firm grasp of the rules and a nicely painted 750 point army, then I'd start looking to get out and play somewhere, even if it is a bit of a drive.

I found an issue, with your post.

Practice makes perfect. Also, adjusting one's definition of "nicely painted" doesn't hurt either.

But 40k is a hobby as much as it is anything else. If you're really not interested in painting much, and just want to play games, then I'd suggest skipping the minis altogether and playing on vassal or going back to DoW.

 Ailaros wrote:
Practice makes perfect. Also, adjusting one's definition of "nicely painted" doesn't hurt either.

But 40k is a hobby as much as it is anything else. If you're really not interested in painting much, and just want to play games, then I'd suggest skipping the minis altogether and playing on vassal or going back to DoW.

I've yet to even buy the mini's yet, painting is a lllooooooonnnggg way off for me. And I don't plan on getting crazy on the painting anytime soon. Especially with all the itsy bitsy details on the wolves.