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I stand on the threshold of a new project and was hoping to get some advice from you all.

My next army is going to be partly dictated by needing a low model count but i don't want to be steam-rollered by bigger forces if possible. So far the contenders are:

Ravenwing
Tau Farsight Enclave (I believe they can take Crisis Suits as troops)
Tyranid Monstrous Creatures (a few bases of Rippers making up the troops choices, and then a load of bigger bugs)

I have no experience with any of the above armies, so I was wondering if any are particularly awful (my gaming group isn't particularly competitive, but I do like to give my opponents a bit of a game).

Also, are there any other suggestions for armies that fit the low model count criteria?

Thanks for your time and thoughts.

Inquisition. 1 inquisitor bby.

How about gray knights?

Chaos Daemons? They can fill a similar role to Tyranids (hell, you can even field Nurglings as your troop choices if you want), or you can use the Infernal Tetrad formation to field nothing but Daemon Princes if you wanted to.

I went for a Sternguard Deathwatch army with Inquisitors and Assassins. Reasonably successful and fluffy as heck.

I went so far as to form a Deathwatch company (just BECAUSE) after reading a book detailing one of the training ring-worlds. 100 Deathwatch marines (plus 20 mechanicum) and associated Inquisitors, Assassins and Equipment for 3.8K. I ally in some normal marines to reach 5K.

 Jaxler wrote:
Inquisition. 1 inquisitor bby.

Then give him Psychotroke Grenades and stick him in a squad of 8 Death Cult assassins with a Priest inside a Land Raider
Then you just turn anything with a 3+ save or worse into ribbons
(Even an 8 man squad of Crusaders will mulch anything up and tank hits)

Imperial knights. 2k list with 5 models easy...

Cult Mechanicus

Run an unbound Legio Titanicus list.

3k points, 1 model.

Unless your regualr opponents don't even pay lip service to competitive play that Nid list will get stomped.

One option is the Dark Eldar via the Haemonculus Covens supplement. Using the Scalpel Squadron, Coprstheif Claw, Grotesquerie and Dark Artisan formations you can get a 2K list with only 29 models in it quite easily. The fact you've got 7 Monstrous Creatures and 6 large infantry models makes it pretty tough as well.

Grey knights can be pretty small armies. Like less than 20 models on the board. Or you you could do a Tau MC/Suit army.

Thunderstar? Max 10-15 models.

As said, knights is the best model for point army, and they are pretty damn strong as well.

Another options to combine with your ravenwing would be deathwing.

a 1500 point army of mine consists of
9 bikes
1 lib on bike
20 terminators
1 Belial

so total of 31 models for 1500 points.

 Camundongo wrote:
Infernal Tetrad formation to field nothing but Daemon Princes if you wanted to.

I went to a doubles tourney over the weekend and brought 4 models in my 1250 list using the Tetrad, and came in second.

Tetrads are good lists.

I also second the Tetrad Formation.

It's Flying Circus on 4 kinds of crack.

I ask because it’s come up before on the topic of low model count armies: Why?

Is it budget related, time/effort to model/paint, or transport?

Because things like knights and FMCs might give you a low model count, but if transportation is an issue, can be hard to get to the game store. But if you want something you can pack in a single small case, you might end up with a much higher count of models, but basic trooper sized guys can pack really tight.

 Nevelon wrote:
I ask because it’s come up before on the topic of low model count armies: Why?

Is it budget related, time/effort to model/paint, or transport?

Because things like knights and FMCs might give you a low model count, but if transportation is an issue, can be hard to get to the game store. But if you want something you can pack in a single small case, you might end up with a much higher count of models, but basic trooper sized guys can pack really tight.

Yup, on this, grey knights make nice elite armies that can be moved in one carrying case. 20 models at 1850can still be competitive. On that note, so can making a thunder wolf Calvary army or death star.

 Nevelon wrote:
I ask because it’s come up before on the topic of low model count armies: Why?

Is it budget related, time/effort to model/paint, or transport?

Because things like knights and FMCs might give you a low model count, but if transportation is an issue, can be hard to get to the game store. But if you want something you can pack in a single small case, you might end up with a much higher count of models, but basic trooper sized guys can pack really tight.

It's time for me - I recently became a dad and it turns out that can take a real bite out a blokes' available hobby time! I like to have fully-painted armies, and with painting time at a premium model count has to drop. I find it also presents an interesting variation on army building considerations - restrictions breed creativity and all that.

Thank you all for your thoughts - I had no idea how varied the potential choices are. The Infernal Tetrad sounds particularly interesting - one of my existing armies is Chaos Marines, so there's a nice link there (I suspect the fact that I still play with my Chaos Marines might give you an indication of the level of competitiveness in my group )

StackORhinos wrote:

 Nevelon wrote:
I ask because it’s come up before on the topic of low model count armies: Why?

Is it budget related, time/effort to model/paint, or transport?

Because things like knights and FMCs might give you a low model count, but if transportation is an issue, can be hard to get to the game store. But if you want something you can pack in a single small case, you might end up with a much higher count of models, but basic trooper sized guys can pack really tight.

It's time for me - I recently became a dad and it turns out that can take a real bite out a blokes' available hobby time! I like to have fully-painted armies, and with painting time at a premium model count has to drop. I find it also presents an interesting variation on army building considerations - restrictions breed creativity and all that.

Thank you all for your thoughts - I had no idea how varied the potential choices are. The Infernal Tetrad sounds particularly interesting - one of my existing armies is Chaos Marines, so there's a nice link there (I suspect the fact that I still play with my Chaos Marines might give you an indication of the level of competitiveness in my group )

Well first of all, congrats on becoming a dad. Second, to me, Grey Knights are the quintessential low model count army. They are strong without being OP. You'll struggle against the Big 5 (Eldar, Tau, Necrons, SM, and SW), but be competitive against everything else. Plus they have the best looking TDA and PA in the game.

Knights will give you your lowest model count, Daemons with Tetrad are a close second.

 Xerics wrote:
Imperial knights. 2k list with 5 models easy...

I'd go this route. Especially now that you can get the renegade boxes.

I'm putting together a Tau army at the moment - Commander and drones, two min squads of fire warriors, an OSC and a Riptide Wing, and a Stormsurge. That's not a huge number of models.

No but they're huge models and take even more time to paint.

Almost all major tournament winning armies are low model count armies. Just take a look get inspired and tone it down with your own fun thing.

 Ashiraya wrote:
Run an unbound Legio Titanicus list.

3k points, 1 model.

Hardly beatable.
I always liked small model count armies.

Tyrants Monster armies can be low count and plenty of fun, as long as you don't care about losing.

Necrons can be a good low model count army, if the aesthetic grabs you..

I just played a 1k game against a chaos space marine/ Skitarii army that was pretty decent. He ran 3 psykers in terminator armor and they all rolled on the telepathy table and kept shroud on his unit at all times, which made the unit almost invincible. They also had 2+ saves and a 5+ invul with 2 wounds. I don't know what the other spelss were except he could make my guys shoot my other units, terrify and dominate.
His Skitarii he ran a group with an alpha, I'm guessing the regular troop choice with 3 snipers who had ap 3 weapons on long bases. His other group consisted of his warlord and 3 plasma guns. Model count was 25 I think for a 1000 point game. That might not help you much, but who knows. I put in my 2 cents.