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hello everybody!I've gotten a lot into competitive gaming lately and I would like to know as much as possible of the competitive scene of 40k.

so, here's a few questions for everybody that is so kind to stop by and take a few second to answer

ok, here we go:

1) which are the best and most competitive armies? what I should look for when choosing my own army list?
2) what would you suggest to any "beginner"?
3) how is it to play in a turnament? what "equipment" should I have with me?
4) where Can I find some competitive lists/reports/material so that I can keep an eye on how the meta is evolving and what lists are performing better?


if you have any kind of suggestion for a newbie, pls write it down here.

bye!

Try another game. 40k's competitive scene is in a sorry state these days.

X-Wing, Warmahordes, Malifaux and pretty much every other mini game out there would be better for it.

I'd recommend WMH as well.
However, if you want to play 40k, try either vanilla Space Marines which is the most flexible army out there or Eldar, the most competitive one.
In the latter case, play a Serpent heavy army with some Wraithknights.
For the beginner start with two to four Serpents with Dire Avengers and Fire Dragons or Wraithguard and a Jetseer.
Have a look into the battle report here at Dakka.

If you want to:

- Abuse an overpowered unit
- Want to win
- Don't care if it's cheesy

and

- The place you play doesn't have a house rule adjusting for it

I think most players would answer that the most easily abused, overpowered unit is the Eldar Wave Serpent

If money is no object, and your gaming group doesn't object, you could always bring in some monstrous model like a Gargantuan Squiggoth, that your opponent has no answer to.

Keep in mind that this kind of play is what discourages people from 40k. It is possible to field an army that's 1500 points, that someone else's 1500 point collection would lose to 19 times out of 20 and is just damned frustrating. In order to defeat it, someone would have to tailor their list, which usually means buying and fielding models that the don't have, if they're "casual" players. Losing every game kinda sucks all the joy out of playing

Try another game. 40k's competitive scene is in a sorry state these days.

X-Wing, Warmahordes, Malifaux and pretty much every other mini game out there would be better for it.

I don't realy like those and also there are not much players in my area that actually run those games :(

als, why is 40k's competitive scene is in a sorry state?

Talys wrote:
If you want to:
- Abuse an overpowered unit
- Want to win
- Don't care if it's cheesy

all of those are things that I guess I should counsider to be "normal" in a tournament!

btw, which unit would you consider overpowered?

Gotta love it when a person posts questions about 40K to the 40K discussion area and people just start lobbing other games. I´ll just respect your questions and answer them instead.

1. There was a winrate statistic from the biggest events from this year a month back. I recall it was either in Blood of Kittens or 3++ Is The New Black. The best winrate codices at the time were Eldar, Tau, Space Marines, Imperial Knights. The Tyranids are now one of the most competent ones out there with their new drop pods.

2. Do you mean army? Well, Space Marines are probably one of the easier and most diverse armies to do well with, and they have many allying options.

3. Spare game clock, a charged up tablet if possible ( if using PDF/other rules ) all gaming equipment ( measure, dice, counters, cards, so on .) Your armies, and sportmanship attitude.

4. You should check reports from the big tournaments that are being held constantly. Blood of Kittens, Bell of Lost Souls and 3++ Is The New Black -among others list these.

 RunicFIN wrote:
Gotta love it when a person posts questions about 40K to the 40K discussion area and people just start lobbing other games. I´ll just respect your questions and answer them instead.

1. There was a winrate statistic from the biggest events from this year a month back. I recall it was either in Blood of Kittens or 3++ Is The New Black. The best winrate codices at the time were Eldar, Tau, Space Marines, Imperial Knights. The Tyranids are now one of the most competent ones out there with their new drop pods.

2. Do you mean army? Well, Space Marines are probably one of the easier and most diverse armies to do well with, and they have many allying options.

3. Spare game clock, a charged up tablet if possible ( if using PDF/other rules ) all gaming equipment ( measure, dice, counters, cards, so on .) Your armies, and sportmanship attitude.

4. You should check reports from the big tournaments that are being held constantly. Blood of Kittens, Bell of Lost Souls and 3++ Is The New Black -among others list these.

thank youuuuuuuu

well, I meant army, but also general tips/tricks, common mistakes, things to avoid but also good habits to develope as soon as possible

1. Daemons, Eldar, Imperial Knights, Space Marines, Tau. Check out some of the battle reports from the youtube link below to get a feel for what's competitive.

2. Power levels change. Get an army that's at least decent now, but make sure it's an army you like that can grow and change over the years. Experience with your army and knowing what it can do in any meta counts for a lot. For example, Sisters of Battle just won a very competitive event this weekend in the UK.

3. Tournaments are fun. But don't get to hung up on winning one any time soon. You'll need practice and experience. Just have a good time and learn from it.

You'll need the rules for your army (including the main rules book), tape measure, dice, templates, your army list (usually tournaments require several copies, so check the tournament pack before you go). And make sure your army list is legal. Most tournaments have their own rules with regards to list construction. Don't be afraid to e-mail the TO with questions. Also; during games, if you're not quite sure what's going on, ask. Remember to pre-measure, and use that to avoid contentious issues. For example, before you move a unit you plan on assaulting with, measure how far they are from the enemy unit, show your opponent, and agree on how far you need to roll to make it when you later charge. It speeds things up and avoids arguments.

Before the event, see if there's anything unclear. Are they using any FAQs? Which ones? Is there anything in your army that's contentious/unclear? Is it answered by an FAQ? Ask the TO how it's being handled at the event. It's going to suck if you play your best unit one way, and then during your first game of the tournament learn that it doesn't work that way after all.

In addition, bring a tray to carry your army between tables (like a lunch tray, for example), wear comfortable shoes, bring water and healthy snacks (or it is going to be a long day). And remember, the drunker you get on Saturday night, the more you hate yourself on Sunday morning.

Finally, the most common (and most stupid) tournament mistake: not having read/understood the missions. Read the tournament pack as many times as it takes for you to properly understand it (ask the TO if you need to), and if you have the time, get some practice games in before the event.

4. Internet sources:
http://alliesofconvenience.podbean.com/
http://www.tangtwo.com/11thcompany/episodes.cfm
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBzUEWxzduyn0PQsOtvY_5w

You can also talk to people at tournaments, look around for local events, blogs, etc. See of your ETC team (European Team Championships) has an internet presence, or if any of the players are near you, and learn what you can. Most tournament attendees are super friendly and will be more than happy to help you with improving your army and tactics.

Have fun.

If you're into 40k and interested in starting, try it out. As much as I know about most local communities is that, as was mentioned before, the player base can be relatively small and casual depending on your area.

I've read on dakka before that most armies are unbalanced and a lot of it is choosing an army you like, understanding the rules specific to that army, and being able to use those rules to your advantage while understanding it's strengths and weaknesses.

From a personal perspective, I chose an army I liked (Imperial Guard) and I attempt to make sure that I have specific units for which to deal with any enemy threats (infantry, armor, air.)

 RunicFIN wrote:
Gotta love it when a person posts questions about 40K to the 40K discussion area and people just start lobbing other games. I´ll just respect your questions and answer them instead.

1. There was a winrate statistic from the biggest events from this year a month back. I recall it was either in Blood of Kittens or 3++ Is The New Black. The best winrate codices at the time were Eldar, Tau, Space Marines, Imperial Knights. The Tyranids are now one of the most competent ones out there with their new drop pods.

2. Do you mean army? Well, Space Marines are probably one of the easier and most diverse armies to do well with, and they have many allying options.

3. Spare game clock, a charged up tablet if possible ( if using PDF/other rules ) all gaming equipment ( measure, dice, counters, cards, so on .) Your armies, and sportmanship attitude.

4. You should check reports from the big tournaments that are being held constantly. Blood of Kittens, Bell of Lost Souls and 3++ Is The New Black -among others list these.

I think it's worth bringing up other games because 40k is a significant investment (as is any other tabletop game). And if the game does not really cater to your particular interests (i.e. competitive gaming) or in a way you're not interested in (i.e. buying multiple cheesy units rather than utilizing significant tactical knowledge), then it's worth knowing that going in.

If the OP says "I know the state 40k is in, I still want to do this" (which happened right after the alternatives got mentioned) then obviously the need to make alternative suggestions goes away.

 Accolade wrote:

 RunicFIN wrote:
Gotta love it when a person posts questions about 40K to the 40K discussion area and people just start lobbing other games. I´ll just respect your questions and answer them instead.

1. There was a winrate statistic from the biggest events from this year a month back. I recall it was either in Blood of Kittens or 3++ Is The New Black. The best winrate codices at the time were Eldar, Tau, Space Marines, Imperial Knights. The Tyranids are now one of the most competent ones out there with their new drop pods.

2. Do you mean army? Well, Space Marines are probably one of the easier and most diverse armies to do well with, and they have many allying options.

3. Spare game clock, a charged up tablet if possible ( if using PDF/other rules ) all gaming equipment ( measure, dice, counters, cards, so on .) Your armies, and sportmanship attitude.

4. You should check reports from the big tournaments that are being held constantly. Blood of Kittens, Bell of Lost Souls and 3++ Is The New Black -among others list these.

I think it's worth bringing up other games because 40k is a significant investment (as is any other tabletop game). And if the game does not really cater to your particular interests (i.e. competitive gaming) or in a way you're not interested in (i.e. buying multiple cheesy units rather than utilizing significant tactical knowledge), then it's worth knowing that going in.

If the OP says "I know the state 40k is in, I still want to do this" (which happened right after the alternatives got mentioned) then obviously the need to make alternative suggestions goes away.

Agreed. Getting into 40k for the competitive scene is like getting into Taylor Swift because you love head banging and mosh pits.

To play competitive 40k you need to do the following:

1. Take every aspect of fun, and throw it out the door. You won't be needing it.

2. Go buy the Eldar codex and as many Wave Serpents as your store has.

3. Start working on getting more friends, you won't have your current ones anymore.

4. Profit.

 krodarklorr wrote:
To play competitive 40k you need to do the following:

1. Take every aspect of fun, and throw it out the door. You won't be needing it.

2. Go buy the Eldar codex and as many Wave Serpents as your store has.

3. Start working on getting more friends, you won't have your current ones anymore.

4. Profit.

This is a pretty straightforward way to play at the competitive level.
However, Eldar is not as easy to play as one might think.
I try to perfect my Eldar play since 3rd edition.

 wuestenfux wrote:

 krodarklorr wrote:
To play competitive 40k you need to do the following:

1. Take every aspect of fun, and throw it out the door. You won't be needing it.

2. Go buy the Eldar codex and as many Wave Serpents as your store has.

3. Start working on getting more friends, you won't have your current ones anymore.

4. Profit.

This is a pretty straightforward way to play at the competitive level.
However, Eldar is not as easy to play as one might think.
I try to perfect my Eldar play since 3rd edition.

I actually just posted a thread in this section about my only time playing using Eldar. I have to respectfully disagreed. It IS as easy as one might think. >.>

If playing competitive 40K means "taking out every aspect of fun" from the game, does that mean that competitive 40K players aren't having fun when they play?

 BlaxicanX wrote:
If playing competitive 40K means "taking out every aspect of fun" from the game, does that mean that competitive 40K players aren't having fun when they play?

No. Competitive 40k took all the fun out so the competitive players left for games that allowed them to have fun.

If all the competitive players left, then what type of players are all those guys attending and winning 40K tournaments?

 BlaxicanX wrote:
If all the competitive players left, then what type of players are all those guys attending and winning 40K tournaments?

People who own a lot of Wave Serpents.

1) The balance in a codex is on the whole, fairly bad, such that in most one or two units or vehicles stand out as being overpowered or points efficient (depending on your point of view) Wave serpents, Riptides, Necron Wraiths among others fall into that category.

2) play as many games as you can! with the internet able to provide you with a net list, you can be sure that people who want to win at tournaments will bring the current most powerful net list. they may or may not have played games with it, but the best way to get the upper hand is to not only be familiar with what your own army can do, but also what others can do. in a game between 2 equal armies, while luck can certainly play a factor, victory usually goes to the person who makes the fewest mistakes. You will also need, more than in a PUG or casual game have to play the mission. Tabling isn't important, unless its a KP mission, so go for the objectives.

3) you need a copy of the rules, your codex, multiple copies of your army list. a typed up sheet with all the rules your fielded army is using (plus page references) will minimise the time you need to stop to consult the rulebook. havey copies of recent FAQ's with pertinent sections highlighted is a definate plus. you will also need dice, and a tray to move your army between games. i also find a stop watch to be quite important. there is nothing more annoying than being close to victory and running out of time. it will also help you determine when your opponent is trying the 'go slow' trick if he is losing.

4) Most tournaments will publish their results, so while you may not get a full army list, you will get a very good impression by looking at multiple results which armies are the most popular, and also which ones do the best. Meta is a very tricky thing to judge, since it depends very much on the tournament rules. A tournament which allows LOW will have very different armies from one that doesn't.

The most important thing when playing is to be friendly, be very familiar with your army and comfortable with its playstyle, its strengths and weaknesses, and be familiar with what other armies can bring. I've come across some cheaters in tournaments, so don't be afraid to approach the referees if your opponent is cheating.

Also, wear clean clothes, wash, use deodorant and brush your teeth.

 krodarklorr wrote:

 wuestenfux wrote:

 krodarklorr wrote:
To play competitive 40k you need to do the following:

1. Take every aspect of fun, and throw it out the door. You won't be needing it.

2. Go buy the Eldar codex and as many Wave Serpents as your store has.

3. Start working on getting more friends, you won't have your current ones anymore.

4. Profit.

This is a pretty straightforward way to play at the competitive level.
However, Eldar is not as easy to play as one might think.
I try to perfect my Eldar play since 3rd edition.

I actually just posted a thread in this section about my only time playing using Eldar. I have to respectfully disagreed. It IS as easy as one might think. >.>

Serp spam is a piece of cake compared to footslogging orkses or rhino rush. Not that it's an auto-win, but it's definitely easier to master this strategy than something more tactical.