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I bought a couple box sets of 40K and a ton of models back in 94' and never played it. Couldn't find anyone to play so I painted it crapily then put the stuff up to collect dust. That was the end of wargaming for me until two years ago and I have been playing Flames of war pretty religiously. It has always bothered me I have a couple grand sitting in the closet that has never been used. I found myself digging my 40K stuff out I want to play it as well. I found lots of stuff from tons of Space marines, Dark Eldar and Orks. I even had a few of the original Lemon Russ tank kits, the original Eldar Jet Bike kits and even several box sets of the original Necrons the good ones that look like the Terminators from the movie "Terminator".

I am going to build a Space Marine army first since I have so much of it. And I have a few questions.

All my books are 2nd edition and not usable. I bought a new space marine codex today but my choice of chapters is not listed as it was in the old ones. I want to stick with the green and keep my marines the Sons of Medusa, is it still a valid chapter, do they have their own codex or any special rules pertaining to them. The most I have found was doing a google search and finding a member on this forum who had painted some SOM marines. (Great painting advise and otherwise I would not have found the forum. Thank you "Grey_Death")

Also next weekend I am going to buy the Space Marine Battleforce box set and the 5th edition box set. I may also get the space marine models that were not available when I bought my stuff. (Not as much cool stuff anymore and whats with everything being plastic now???). Is the main rule book worth buying or is the one in the box set the same. I notice it is not as thick. Thats why I am asking.

Can I use some of my special figures with the SOM? For instance I have the original Marneus Calgar (Ultramarine) and Bjorn The Fell-handed (Space Wolves dreadnought).

Where can I find out more info on the SOM. Not much other than a picture in the old codex. Must not be a popular chapter.

What is a typical points cost per game in 40k? We play 1750 in FOW.

What armour do the marines have to have. I plan on buying some tanks as well. I have some bikes and a lone Rhino.

I am repainting all my figures to a better standard. I took inspiration from this board another member posted some SOM stuff which was very impressive. My skills are not near as good but after stripping a 15 year old crappy thick testors glossy green paint job this is what I came up with.

Welcome back to the wonderful world of grim, dark future.

Now then, to your questions:

-The Sons of Medusa have no special rules attached to them in the current edition, if indeed they ever had any. Unless you have some really strong ideas about them, I'd play them as a standard codex chapter.

- The rulebook in the starter set contains all the rules, but none of the pretty pictures or pages of fluff. Those two sets are a decent start for a marine army, though you can't make any truly focused killer lists with them alone.

- In essence, you need to pick which codex you're using for your marines. If you play your SoM as standard codex marines, you can use Marneus Calgar in all his glory. I'd consider changing the name though, as Calgar is an Ultramarine. Your Bjorn dreadnought could always be used as a normal one, though you may have to file off the most obvious Space Wolf iconography. If you want Bjorns rules, you'd have to play your marines as a a variant of the Wolves, and then you can't use Calgars rules of course.

- I'm afraid I really can't help you with more info about the SoM, I've only ever seen the picture in one of the codexes. There is a book called the index Astartes that may contain something about the SoM, but I don't own that one.

- A typical game is in the 1000-2000 range, 1500 or 1750 are considered the most "balanced".

- Concerning armor, I hear everyone going on about mechanised or drop pod armies. Land Raiders are awesome, but I'm no expert on army list design. You better wait for someone elses advice on that.

Finally, that's a very nice paintjob, the weathering in paticular is perfect. Those old platic marines just look so cute too. I take it you will add the SoM chapter insignia later? otherwise the Rhino in particular looks a bit too green.

Thanks for the reply. The old marines are kind of cute. I striped about 50 of them which was a pain in the butt. A lot of people would have thrown then away but I like the retro look they have. Most of my marine stuff is metal which is easier to strip but I want to use some of the old plastic marines as well. I am just going to throw a few in each tac squad. I do plan to add some markings to the marines and their vehicles. I am not sure where to get the decals. I do want to go with the old insignia, I believe it was a skull covered with snakes.

I think I will shoot for 2000 points to start.

Would anyone like to chime in with some list ideas that would be competative to a generic space marine army. The only shop that carries the stuff is an hour away. I would like to get an idea what I need before I drive up there this next weekend.


Here is a few of the rhino in better light. The green with razor wire give it a lovely prison bus feel. I still feel it is lacking, decals should fix that. I also need to paint the lights, other than that I want to fully detail the interior. I am also toying with the idea of another Rhino done up like a medivac unit. White tarps with red crosses painted on them drapped over the front and sides.

60buick wrote:(Not as much cool stuff anymore and whats with everything being plastic now???)

I am also a recently returned WH40K'er and I LOVE stuff being plastic.

Seriously, the difference in putting together my plastic IronClad Dreadnought and my Furioso dreadnaughts is huge. The IC is lighter, comes with more options because it is on a couple of sprues, is MUCH easier to put together as it requires no pinning for extra strength, and mainly because the pieces fit together so much more snugly. No need for Green Stuff!