Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Hey fellow Dakkaites
I've decided to get into Battlefleet Gothic and I need some help. I haven't even decided who to go with, but I've narrowed it down to either Chaos or Imperial Navy. Any suggestions?

Well, it depends. Are there other players near you that play regularly? And if so, what fleets do they play? That might be a consideration for picking one over the other. Also, I should point out that in my experience, Chaos is a bit easier for learning the game, as it tends to be a little more forgiving than the IN. And finally, the IN and Chaos are about the same in terms of cost and variety, as both sides feature plastic cruisers that can build a number of variants, and several battleship classes to chose from.

When buying ships I'd highly recommend looking at Ebay for some cheap deals. IIRC the main box set contained not only all the materials needed to play the game but 5Imperial ships and 4 Choas Ships and was priced £50 for the UK (US I don't know) so that should hopefully give you a price comparrison when looking for deals on Ebay.

Also, if you did manage to get your hands on the box set then as long as you painted all the ships up in the same scheme then I see no reason why you can't use both the Chaos ships and the Imperial ships as the same army. That will allow you to play as both Chaos or Imperial without having to buy additional ships. When you play as Imperial you'd just have to assume the Chaos looking ships are simply pre-heresy ships still under loyalist control ... and if you play as Chaos then the Imperial ships could simply be captured ships or the crew corrupted by choas. Either way, as long as you are happy with different styled ship with a single colour scheme then I don't think others will have an issue either, especially if the weapon systems are clearly displayed.


Additionally, check out this link if you haven't already, it links to GW and all the free additional resources they've posted on their website.
http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/content/article.jsp?catId=cat480005a&categoryId=1100007§ion=&aId=4300022


Found this link for when MGS was looking for info, would be worth a look for when deciding what ships to build for Imperials
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/318009.page


Also this link for a Tactica of sorts
http://www.games-workshop.com/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m1300008_BFG_Admiral%27s_Tactics.pdf_

At this point I'd say it you'd be best looking at other people's threads for info on armies and such, its already been asked 30times over so there is plenty of info out there, and then if you have any specific questions we can help with that. the Search feature might turn up some useful info but this little lot should give you some food for thought at least

From my own personal experience Choas tend to have greater long distance firepower whereas Imperial have superior close quarter firepower, Imperials also have the ability of choosing torpedo salvo's or the devastating Nova cannon whereas the Chaos can only choose front Laser batteries. In truth both have pro's and con's and it depends on the situation your in. Having chaos with front Lasers might seem best, but being able to use torpedo's to help channel the enemy in a certain directions is equally useful.

I still think buying the main box set is your best bet, and if you really don't like a certain army after you've tried them from either looks or a gameplay perspective then you should be able to sell the opposing army on Ebay or to a friend, etc

Chaos or Imperial Navy
Just pick what models you like to paint more.

This might sound like a cop out, but do both. Make 2 fleets of, say, 500 points. Then get a mate to play with you. Have some games with either, then decide. TBH, Chaos and IN are very close in power level, and are both great starter fleets. Chaos is, as has been mentioned, maybe slightly easier, but there's not a lot in it IMO..

Ok, I've thought about this a bit more;

Download the basic rules and Ships of the Gothic Sector, as well as the templates/Compass

Get a box of IN Cruisers, and a box of Chaos cruisers-maybe some escorts

Build 2 small fleets and play with a mate. Play both sides

Download and play with the advanced rules..maybe add another cruiser and a battleship to each fleet..

Now, if you want to, start another fleet (again small)...and go from there..

That's what I'm going to do so I can play with my son-and maybe start a kit at the school I work at..