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Hi!

I just recently started my first army, and now I'm looking forward to playing my very first game! I'm still working on putting the minis together though, so I thought it would be a good idea to figure out what I'm going to use in my first games and focus on finishing those models first.

I hope this isn't too "noobish" a post for this subforum, but I was hoping someone would help me put a beginner, all-round list together using (mostly) what I have (though suggestions about a few near future purchases are also welcome), so I don't have to look totally ridiculous when I show up for my first game

We've decided to start at 500 points and skipping the 2 troop choices rule. I play vanilla Space Marines, and right now I have two AoBRs worth as well as a few extras - in total:

- 2 x 10-man Tactical Squads
- 2 x 5-man Terminator Squads (+ 1 assault cannon and 2 chainfist bits)
- 2 x Dreadnoughts
- 2 x Captains
- 1 x Captain/Chapter Master from the SM Commander set

Should I get a transport? Do I take the Dreads? The Termies? Is a Chapter Master worth the extra points? Any ideas?

At 500 you shouldn't skip the troop choices rule. They are the low cost foundation for most every army.

Taking 1 caption with whatever cc gear strikes your fancy.

3 tactic squads.
Two should be 5 man with a heavy weapon
Third unit can be larger and carry an assault weapon.

Those choices leave you room for probably a single dred.

That looks like a good base to start from.

Personnally I would suggest the Captains over the Chapter master. For the extra points your not getting a very reliable shot which also keeps your commander from moving.

As a Space Wolves player I don't have much experience in vanillas but I agree that Chapter Masters aren't that good, especially in games that size. Also Space Marine players seem to prefer Librarians (which is one thing Space Wolf players have in common).

Definitely drop the Chapter Master. A captain will perform just as well if not better for the points.

I agree on the Two 5 man squads with Heavy weapons, and one larger with a special weapon. Personally though, I have only ever had my dreadnought's get fried turn one in low points games, so they usually just aren't work it at 500pts. I would say plug in as many termis as you can after you have your core and captain. Terminators of any kind are INCREDIBLY agitating at low points, and can be a real pain for your opponent to take care of, while being able to dish it out themselves.

It may be worth getting a Rhino or droppod to save your objective assault troops the painfull walk/run across the board. Rhinos and droppods are cheap but a rhino may need extra armour to avoid the dissapointing constant stunned results so a droppod may be better as it will work out cheaper and get there faster (first turn is quick). If it is not an objective game it still makes your army more mobile.

Thanks! I guess there are many ways to do it, I'll try some different setups

Sadly, no heavy with only 5 man squads. You need 10 in the squad to get the assault and/or heavy options. So you have to make some tough choices at 500 pts. An option would be a 10-man with assault/heavy, and another 5-6 man on foot. Make sure the seargent has pistol/ccw for a necessary cc threat. This layout can be combat squadded in a pinch for 3 scoring units, or to keep the heavy weapon behind a wall of meat.

A captain is a fantastic effective HQ at 500 pts. Tough and decent in CC. At 500 pts I find there just aren't enough bullets in the list to get the job done.

A FANTASTIC choice at 500 points is a vanilla 105 point dread. Low STR horde nightmare, decent transport popper, and armor 12 is tough to crack at that points level.