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So my friend who got me to play my first game of 40k is getting back into the hobby and started collecting Tau. He is starting from scratch so all he has is a small army right now and the codex, no rule book.

I picked up the Dark Vengeance box set just before 8th edition came out, but I’ve been sitting on it since my focus has been on Warhammer Fantasy. Seeing my friend starting his 40k army is getting me into the 40k spirit however. So I need some advice on what to do with Dark Vengeance set. I want to play Chaos Space Marines, not really sure on what strategy or legion or god to focus on just yet. I do like Khorn though. I’m wondering if the Dark Vengeance would be a good start or if I should trade it in for Dark Imperium. I’m a little stuck in the past with Warhammer Fantasy, but I think my friend wants to play the new 40k which I’m down for, though I wouldn’t mind having the 7th edition rules either Incase we ever wanted to try those out (not sure if worth it. My friend hasnt played since 5th). I also wouldn’t mind having some Space Marines to play with as we do have 2 other people in our gaming group anyway who would be down to play 40k... but I’d also be interested in doing a bit of conversion with the space marines to expand my chaos forces if that would be worth it in either starter set. Basically I want to know what would be the best value for starting Chaos SM. I’m not too worried about having the updated rulebook as my friend is looking to get it soon anyway (my own copy obviously being preferred but nothing to rush at this time) so if Dark Vengeance is a good start i’d only really need to update the codex. Also let me know good beginner strategies or what to look for when building my Chaos army as I don’t really know where to start.

Thanks in advance.

If you want to go khorne dark vengeance is a good start. You get some cheap cultists and a helbrute which is always good. I would not advise converting normal marines to chaos tho. It's not worth the struggle.

If you like nurgle/death guard (which is superior to khorne atm imo) Dark Imperium is the way to go. Consider selling the half you dont need. If you're just starting out you should probably focus on one army.

For khorne you will need berzerkers. Do not buy regular chaos marines since they're pretty useless. Cultists make better troops.

I'd also not recommend the 7th ed. Ruleset. 8th is much more balanced and chaos especially sucked in 7th

dark vengence is actually a better starting point in terms of minis if you wanna go chaos, get some green stuff and you can easily chaosify the dark angels stuff in DV, which means you'd have a pretty solid army all considered.

Thanks guys. Looks like I need to do more research before I commit.

Chaos, all the Chaos!

Bezerkers and Noisemarines are pretty solid theses days. Nurgle if you really want to pee someone off with DR and Tzeentch can throw psychic powers around like they are going on sale.

However, I would wait a bit if thinking Chaos as either World Eaters or Emperors Children will drop either Q4 or early next year by all accounts - if that is your bag.

 NoiseMarine with Tinnitus wrote:
Chaos, all the Chaos!

Bezerkers and Noisemarines are pretty solid theses days. Nurgle if you really want to pee someone off with DR and Tzeentch can throw psychic powers around like they are going on sale.

However, I would wait a bit if thinking Chaos as either World Eaters or Emperors Children will drop either Q4 or early next year by all accounts - if that is your bag.

Good to know. Will keep my eye out. Any threads on the forum or websites I should browse to help me?

Like I stated I’m new to 40k minus playing 1 game with my friend years ago in 5th edition, and it was his army split in half-ish. Choosing a faction, a legion, and a god (seems mono-god armies are strong in 8th from what little I read) seems overwhelming sometimes and I don’t want to make a bad choice.