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(I think this is in the right place.. *shrug*)

Well, I'm new to all this (both this forum, and the Warhammer scene in general), and could do with a bit of help. Being the indecisive person that I am, I know that I wanna get some 40K, but I have no freaking idea which race I want to load my hard-earned cash into. Where I am new to Wargames, I've been RolePlaying for many many years, and have played more than my fair share of Strategy games (both RTS, and turn-based), so I may not be a completely new beginner, but with no experience with 40K, I'm confuzzled..

The current situation is as follows. Me and three others are all collecting armies (40K), and I'm the only one yet to decide on which I really want to dedicate myself too. Just playing with friends, I'llk be up primarily against Tau, Orks and Necrons, and where I do want a useful army, I dont mind losing, as long as I both lose with style (apperance is somewhat important to me), and have fun doing so (something that doesnt revolve around standing and shooting...) But, the thing is (yes, I'm very picky and demanding..), I dont want some bland, uninteresting army, both in appearance and fluff.. With my RolePlay past, I like something I can dedicate to myself, an army I can name, and give a personality to.

But, enough babbling. I've looked at all the armies, and just can't decide. Where I have got some ideas of my own, I just want some other opinions. So I'm turning to you guys (and gals.. maybe) What armies do you use? Why do you use them? What made you choose them originally? At the moment, I'm gently wavering in the direction of Tau, Dark Eldar, Eldar, Chaos, and Daemonhunters (my problem is I waive far to often..) A little help would be appreciated.. Many thanks in advance..

Chaos have a lot of options but stylistically are locked into the standard Chaos god iconography (Khorne = red, violent, etc.)

Dark Eldar are generally rather "Goth", also they are one of the hardest armies to play.

Tau are generally a bit clean and anime. The different planets use different colour schemes and they have a good range of options in force structure but their political philosophy is locked down.

SM enable you to create different chapters but must always work within the confines of standard Imperial/SM styling.

I suggest Eldar. It's the latest codex and there are lots of new models available which are very groovy if you like the Eldar style. The craftworld setup allows you to create your own sub-faction and dedicate it to whatever kind of missions you want. For example, concentrate on recontacting Exodite worlds, or become a space pirate, or an anti-Chaos force.

I was thinking along the same lines, tbh. I've got a whole load of Codices (I decide on an army, buy the Codex, plan an army list, then see another army, and my attention span is dragged into that direction, repeating the cycle). Just the mystical history of the Eldar, coupled with the Webway, and the quite spectacular 'destruction' of their race, the whole fluff just appealed to me. A dying race, trying to survive and regain their superiority.

But, considering the aspect warriors, dont they have to be painted in specific schemes? E.g., aren't Dire Avengers mainly blues and whites, whereas Fire Dragons are reds and yellows. Would they still be 'legal' (using the word loosely) if painted via your own scheme? (I was thinking along the lines of various bronzes/reds/oranges, with different interpretations, spreads and tones depending on the Aspect in question. I.. dislike the colour blue

And the Eldar Space Pirates (Corsairs, right?) does intrigue.. That was the cool thing about the Dark Eldar, imho, how they're just pirates and raiders, striking to take what they will, then leaving in an instant. But, their old Codex really has been putting me off..

Plus, for some reason, I love Warp Spiders..

You can paint your aspects in whatever scheme you want. They're yours after all.

Posted By Zubbiefish on 02/11/2007 5:13 AM
You can paint your aspects in whatever scheme you want. They're yours after all.

Well, thats definately tilted my decision somewhat.. Was just, every picture I saw of an Aspect Warrior, they were in the exact same colours, and I wasnt sure what the painting restrictions on them were. But, now thats cleared up.. thanks!

Anybody else got two cents they'd like to add?

Space Marines rule! Er, sorry.

Just don't play Tau, as it appears that one of your buddies already does. Best to keep as much variety in the gaming group as possible, wot?

Posted By Pariah Press on 02/11/2007 8:26 AM
Space Marines rule! Er, sorry.

Just don't play Tau, as it appears that one of your buddies already does. Best to keep as much variety in the gaming group as possible, wot?

Argh, Space Marines.. -_-

I was thinking the same thing.. (About the uniqueness, not the SM ) ..Originally, I was going to go Necrons, but I was beaten to it by my friend, who only got there first because he has a steady paying Job... I guess now, though, I know a thing or two about his army that may help in later battles.. (I helped him build his army.. He practically uses my army list )

If I went Tau, just to spite my friend, I'd probly do it all ala Kroot, seeing as he doesnt use any of the little rascals. But, chances are, I'm not going Tau. I just like their rifles, is all

 

EDIT: Damn, none of that made sense. O_o

No, it pretty much all made sense.

Welcome to the hobby!

Eldar are great. The Aspect Warriors do have traditional colors, but there have always been variations. Usually using the same primary colors, but with varying supplementary colors, different patterns, etc. And that's just in the GW books and studio models. A player can always paint his models whatever colors he likes. If it looks good, most players will be perfectly content to see bronze Dire Avengers or yellow Warp Spiders.

The only exception to this tends to be specific named armies/chapters/craftworlds, which usually have a set color scheme. Bright blue Blood Angels or green Ultramarines will confuse a number of folks, as would an Alaitoc army in red. But if you make up your own chapter, faction or craftworld, you can go nuts.

Posted By Mannahnin on 02/11/2007 10:12 AM
No, it pretty much all made sense.

Welcome to the hobby!

Eldar are great. The Aspect Warriors do have traditional colors, but there have always been variations. Usually using the same primary colors, but with varying supplementary colors, different patterns, etc. And that's just in the GW books and studio models. A player can always paint his models whatever colors he likes. If it looks good, most players will be perfectly content to see bronze Dire Avengers or yellow Warp Spiders.

The only exception to this tends to be specific named armies/chapters/craftworlds, which usually have a set color scheme. Bright blue Blood Angels or green Ultramarines will confuse a number of folks, as would an Alaitoc army in red. But if you make up your own chapter, faction or craftworld, you can go nuts.

Phew. Well, I'm pretty certain I'll probably just 'make it all up as I go along', in essense. I've never really been a fan of using 'pre-made' stuff, so to speak (even on video games.. Give me a Create-a-Character system anyday over the standard you-play-as-this-guy, no matter how much better the second game happens to be.. I guess tis just a vain, egotistical sort of trait.. )..

I usually plan everything out before even consider buying the pieces for an army (for example, with my exploits before now, I've already 'built' Daemonhunters, Dark Eldar, Chaos and Eldar armies.. I may not have the models, but each has a back-story for them..) I get pretty anal over those sorts of things..

well, if you want a stylish army, which is absolutly not stand-and-shoot, and where it is alomst as much fun losing as winning there's only one army:

ORKS!!! I read one of your buddies already playing them, so it could be a little lame, but you can ask him if he wan't to get more into a feral ork direction so you can build a cool mechanized army

If you have TOO MUCH time, you can play Imperial Guard, they've become very interesting and flexible with the new Codex, yiu can even creat a Close combat army (well, sort of).

Space Marines suck. end of story. altough there's a lot of plastic so there actually is the slight chance that you might create a cool theme army.
but maybe I'm just the wrong person to be asked about space marines.

Chaos can fun to build but stay away from Iron Warrios if you don't like to stand around and shoot. maybe lost and the damned. they are pretty cool

Welcome to the wallet-raping hobby of Warhammer.

I play Black Templars, and while they did receive a bit of a nerf in their latest redux of the codex, they are fun to play, both as and against them. While they are Space Marines, they are one of the most divergent chapters - their basic units are more expensive than regular SM's, and they favor close combat over all other forms of fighting. Their higher toughness and 3+ armor save makes them like an Ork+, delivering better close combat power in a tougher, more suvivable package. They have a similar range of options available to them as the SM's do, with the exception that they are often hard-pressed to pack man-portable heavy weapons, as most squads will forfeit that ability in order to take a Power Fist, which are quite prevalent in army lists.

My 2500 point force is designed purely for close combat, and excels in Cities of Death as a result. After all 63 Power Armored Marines all equipped with bolt pistols and chainswords is enough to give most enemies butterflies in their stomachs.

The good thing about Templars is that they're hard to powergame with. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of effective lists out there, but as a whole, they designed the codex such that you can never be accused of cheesing your opponent out of existence. They're highly mobile, and are great at closing the distance between the enemy and yourself.

CK

I agree with that.

The general reaction to bringing space marines is a groan. Yet another SM army.

Meanwhile, I have people travel several hours to play against my Guard. The Guard is more fun to play too.

If you want to do the game with style, I say go with Tau or Eldar. They're mobile, require a bit of thought and selective application of force. I would really recommend Tau but since that's taken I say go for the Eldar.

Voodoo Boyz, I demand that you change your avatar right now. I thought we Ork Players stick together

I think you're heading on the right road going for eldar.

They are varied enough for most tastes.

Got some really nice models.

Interesting rules and varied paint schemes.

The only downside for a new player is that they are a fragile army (outwith falcons).

But then again if winning aint everything for you then I'm sure you and your opponents will enjoy seeing them on the table.

Good luck and welcome to the 40k world.

Wow, thanks everyone... The general concensus seems to be Eldar, which I guess is lucky, as I'm leaning towards them myself, at the moment.. Our first game will be a small campaign between the four of us, just a 500pt army scale, elevating to 750 points mid-way through. It'll last over a weekend, and is mainly just a way for us all to adjust into our new armies, learn what they can and can't do, and just generally get into the game before any of us do anything really major (as in, buy 2000pts of some random army..) 500pts may not seem like much, but its a nice little starter, and didnt require that any of us spent *LOADS* of our hard earned cash, so it seemed appropriate..

I actually looked at the Black Templars codex beforehand, and loved the model of the Emperors Champion. But, all in all, I decided I didnt want to go Space Marines for my first army choice.. It just seems such a regular choice that the new players go Marines, usually by the instruction of the GW Staff (in my area, at least..) I wanted to stand out a little. But, they are definately in my list of 'Later Armies to Acquire'

And Orks, huh.. Well.. lets just leave it with nothing said..

Brother Bartius.. winning isn't everything, right? As long as I enjoy myself, I guess winning can only be something you can rub into peoples faces afterwards. In the long run, someone has to lose, and someone has to win, and I dont really mind if its me.. As long as I look good while doing it.. 

Although, everything is still in the general planning stage.. (We only intend to glue models together for the campaign, and theres still four weeks left until the event, so.. Four weeks is plenty of time for a newby to glue a 750pt army, right?).. But, chances are, I'm going to grab me a load of Eldar goodies.. Hop into the local GW shop tomorrow (although, if they're as useful tomorrow as they were last time I went in, I might just skip it altogether)..

If you're up for anything, I would always suggest that you go with the army that the fewest other people play, that way you're unique and everyone always looks forward to playing against you.


With that in mind, I say you go for Sisters of Battle/Witch Hunters. I'd say Orks or Dark Eldar but both of those armies will be getting a new codex by next year, meaning you'd have to tweak your army again for optimization.

Witch Hunters probably aren't going to get re-done for quite a while, they're colofrul, can be potent when played well, and are definitely not played by very many people.

I always find it a treat to play a SOB/Witch Hunters army just because its something I don't see everyday.