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Hello 40k Dakka, I am interested in creating a Blood Angels army, without using many more than necessary Games workshop models. I play at FLGS with a bunch of buddies that don't care where the models are from as long as they are appropriate. So will this work out? Or am I better off getting some assault marines and then just using custom models for my librarians and priests.

What do you guys think?

Also second question what would be the best army I could make, where I am able to personalize each character, people have said some sort of terminator wing, but I am not too interested in only terminators. What other armies could I do this with?

As long as your buddies are OK with it, you don't need a single GW model (although tournaments or playing in GW stores will be right out).
That said, I'm not aware of that many 3rd party space marine models that would work out cheaper? Plenty do shiny character models that look awesome, but for the standard troops...

For the second question, when you say 'character', do you mean HQ choices, Sergeants, Sang. Priests? Or do you intend to personalize every model?

If you're looking to run BA as a low-model-count army (which they are anyway, given the age of the codex), then you've got 2 options. One is an all Sanguinary Guard army, unlocked by taking Dante, but this is far from the most competitve list as it dies to both AP2 and Volume of Fire. Eldar and probably tau would table them pretty fast. A unit or two of Sanguinary guard is pretty good, but using them as your core is less effective.

The other option is a Death Company army, unlocked by Astorath. With this army, you can't score, so you're looking to table the opponent every game. It's again not the most competitive of armies, but will be seriously fun to play, with every model hitting like a train.


In terms of alternate models, there's not that much out there if you're looking for a cheaper alternative for SM that still look similar. If it's aesthetics and not cost then Anvil Industries are worth a look, although they don't make jump packs so you'd need to find them elsewhere (I think Maximini does some nice pre-heresy looking one). But really, if it's not a question of price, the Death Co and Sang Guard kits are both amazing, and both in my top 10 kits. If you're looking for extreme customisation, you can't go far wrong with Death Company.

To me there are only two considerations when picking the models:

First is does the model represent the correct wargear, which includes being consistent across your army. In other words, can I tell which models have bolters vs lasguns and do all bolters look the same in your army. This also includes: can I tell that model is actually a marine?

The second consideration is where will you play? Some tournaments require either all GW models, while others might only be some percentage. Even outside of tournaments your local hobby shop that you play at might want you to only use models they supply. This is a big consideration as you want to support your local shop which is providing that wonderful play area. In addition you might not want to have to buy the army all over again if you decide to do the tournament scene.

Overall, it's up to you, the people you play and where you play at.




Automatically Appended Next Post:
As to the second question, an inquisition based army is probably the single most customizable army by way of looks then any other. Henchman ( and inquisitors ) can look like anything as log as they have the right gear. Codex:inquisition is due out this month....

Well I took a look at and built up a 20 man army on anvil games. I am saving no money compared to buying these models on sale from a store that sells them at 20-25% off. I might as well just buy four boxes of death company, a librarian, and a box of sanguinary.

That is true I forgot about the inquisition codex

 Nafarious wrote:
Well I took a look at and built up a 20 man army on anvil games. I am saving no money compared to buying these models on sale from a store that sells them at 20-25% off. I might as well just buy four boxes of death company, a librarian, and a box of sanguinary.

That is true I forgot about the inquisition codex

Sounds like a good stuff, Anvil models are just awesome. The best bit is they are 90% compatible with the SM kits, so I'd still suggest grabbing some Death Co at some point to mix in some BA symbols and get some more extra bits.

Hmm I may just buy the Death Co. though and run them as it will be cheaper.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also would it even be viable right now to start a blood angels army? or would I just lose every game?