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Basically the title, ladies and gentlemen. A handful of guys at my club want to try it because they've heard good things about the rule set and balance. I've jumped on the bandwagon too, because hey, it's cool.

Any suggestions on a starting list for 500 points?

I'm going to be playing Alpha Legion, so I already know (for fluff reasons) I'll be taking a librarian with Telepathy as my HQ. I think Tactical squads for troops at such a low point level, a Legion Rapier for some ranged fire support, and I would like a Contemptor for some heavy assault power.

Any better suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Don't bother at 500pts. 2000pt minimum and you STILL aren't bringing that much to the table. Anything less than that is just testing units and getting your feet wet. When a Contemptor Dreadnought costs 175pts, a Tactical squad MUST be ten man strong, and the cheaper versions do not count as the Mandatory Troops, you can barely get a basic FOC at 500pts that's worth putting on the table.

You might be able to do up a 1500pt game, but I can't imagine it would be very fun. Not enough room to use Legion diversity still. 3000pts is really where the game looks like it gets fun. 800pt units, 300pt transports, 400pt HQ section, and Primarchs too. Anything less than that would be better played in 40k with a 40k codex.

So, go for a bigger list, okay. Any unit suggestions?

Im also just starting on 30k, learning what I can in preparation for that box of plastic for Heresy and building out some Ultramarines. So take anything I say with a grain of salt and I'm sure some of my ideas won't be that great.

A Librarian is fine to begin with, but that takes away Rites of War I think. So you miss out on the ability to 'steal' a Legion specific unit with the Alpha Legion Rite. Still, not a bad place start off until you work up to a Praetor.

I'd also recommend that awesome Assassin model. And he needs a Headhunter squad to go in. Recon squad also is a possibility, but Headhunters have that Banestrike.

Troops can be two Tacticals or a Tac and Assault squad. You have some options either way since your entire army can get Infiltrate for being Alphas. Tacticals might be the better choice to be honest.

A Contemptor looks good, so I'd agree to include it. I personally prefer Mortis patterns with twin Kheres Assault Cannons but, if you go with that Rite later, you have to be able to Deep Strike or Infiltrate every unit, and only the standard Contemptor has the option for a Drop Pod...

Seeker Squads really tickle me as well and fit with the Alpha Legion fluff. These are the reason I'd sway more towards Assault squads for Troops. Throw an Apothecary in a 9 man squad and it's a good unit that can deal some damage.

Then you just need anti-tank. i haven't nailed down any anti tank in 30k... Nothing that I go to besides the Sicaran with Lascannons and a Vindicator Destroyer. Neither of which are very Alpha Legion... You may have to look at flyers if you go with that Rite for Alpha Legion. I'm honestly not sure.

I play Death guard for 30k. Ive tried smaller lists but as mentioned earlier its not much fun due to the 10 man minimum tax for tac marines and what not. I feel 2500pts+ is where the 30k legion lists shine. I just played a 3000pt list against a 40k eldar list and had my maelstrom cards been decent at the end i would have won. But being able to take stuff like a Sicaran, a land raider, and a spartan assault tank plus mortarion and typhon is a ton of fun. In my opinion if you are not using a primarch its going to be dull compared to 40k. Much less unit flexability in 30k lists due to no combat squadding. So smaller point games tend to be boring.

But as i said having a big enough point game to take a primarch is where its the most fun. Mortarion 1 shot a avatar and then a wraith lord. That kond of stuff is where its really entertaining

30k at 500 is very doable, no you can't take any of the cool toys but it gives you a good chance to learn the subtle changes and differences in the ruleset before going full on, I'd suggest using the 40k in 40 mins ruleset for 500 pt games and slowly build up to 1k.

Have you thought about a legion yet?

I am really enjoying my Contemptor Mortis with 2 Kheres cannons. It has been making it's points back and then some.

I've been looking into 30k and thinking of starting Death Guard. Is the Contemptor worth the 50 pt upgrade from a regular dreadnought?

 the Signless wrote:
I've been looking into 30k and thinking of starting Death Guard. Is the Contemptor worth the 50 pt upgrade from a regular dreadnought?

For my specific load out, it has been worth it. That extra BS has landed me a slew of hits.

Edit: I also play Death Guard.

Get hold of book 3 (I think? Might be 2): There is a rule set in there called "Tactical Strike" - intended for small skirmishes.

It's somewhere between kill-team and combat patrol, and uses 300 odd point units, which don't have to conform to normal squad organisation.

As a normal age of darkness force chart, the force sounds sensible. Legion Tactical Squads are good, and a contemptor is going to be brutal in a small game.