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Ladies and gents, I am new to the hobby of warhammer 40k, and a newbie to this site as of May this year. I have read and seen so much but I fear that it is easy to get lost amongst the numerous posts on here. So instead of being an outsider and looking in, I have decided to jump in.

For my first order of business, I will start with a few questions to you all.

I am starting a chaos army and would like to see some pros and cons for heavy support vindis vs preds, and defilers. Why should I have them are they worth it?

Do I have to have a champion with each squad? Or can I just fill in there space with another CSM?

Can KB have lighting claws? If so can I have one CSM with one claw and a bolter? (Some of you might be purest I know, but I just want to see if I can).

Ok so for PM or CSM in general do they have to have a grenade in hand or on a belt to use them? Cuz it seems as if they are loosing a weapon if they do. (Got it they don't really lose a weapon but they lose out on either CCB and/or ranged).

Can vindis have the gargoyle rule? If so where can I find one to fit around the cannon?

Tanks with blades are they worth it?

As for starting out in San Diego county are there any spots where I can field my army? Or are there anyone form the county that want to dual, and help me out?

That's all I have for now, look foreword to hearing from everyone!

Welcome, heretic.

I don't play CSM, so I'm probably not the one to be telling you how to run your treacherous bunch, but there are a few things I can answer.

Any model in any army can usually be fitted with whatever equipment they are allowed to use without actually putting it on the model (I'm addressing your grenade question.) I like to make my models look as if they were in a real life situation in which they would use them, such as ammo pouches. But if you don't like the look of the model with such additional bitz, you can always still use the said weapon or equipment, this is called proxying. Keep in mind though that there's a limit to how much you can proxy. Some people will let you proxy more than others, but remember that you can only go so far. Do you want your Havocs to all have lascannons but your models physically have heavy bolters or autocannons? No problem, because it's within the range of your model's weaponry and capabilities. You want a second or third CSM squad in your army, but lack the models so you replace them with plastic army soldiers? Big no-no in most cases.

As for your question on playing with someone else, there's a section in the Forum Index dedicated to finding clubs and hobby shops that run 40k and other tabletop games. Since you live in San Diego, you should find a place no problem. I myself don't live too far from SD, but I've managed to find at least one club to play at.

So I hoped my info helped even in the slightest. Good luck and have fun, you traitor.

Welcome to DakkaDakka!
Now, I'm still quite new to CSM myself but I own the codex so I will try to answer as many questions as I can.
All infantry squads in the CSM codex come with a Champion by default (e.g. Biker squad with a biker champion, Chaos marines with an aspiring Champion...). So no, you can't get rid of him. However this champion is usually equipped in the same way as the other models in the squad and simply has more attacks and normally a higher leadership. But of course you can upgrade him in a number of ways.
For KB, you can give the Champion a lightning claw/lightning claws or any other item from the melee or ranged weapons section in the codex. But thats only the champion –You can't give LC to the other berzerkers . They can have chain axes though...
If you want an 'all lightning claws' squad, you could go for Chosen. Up to four of them can have Lightning claws!
When you say 'gargoyle rule', do you mean the Warpflame gargoyles? If so, then yes,the vindicator can use it (it's a 5 pts upgrade).
Unfortunately I can't tell you a lot about tactics and which Heavy Supports are best to use because I'm still pretty new to CSM myself
As for proxying I agree with BattleCapironblood. You can do it, and people do it all the time, but don't overdo it!
So, I hope this helped you a bit

Welcome to Dakka!

heyo Amigo!

again, I'm not a CSM player, but, as said before, you can equip your models with anything that follows the rules. do you have the codex yet? and do you mean equipping them to follow the rules, or just gluing on some stuff that looks really cool on your models?

GA

Thank you all!

Right, thanks for the clarification, but being the staunch straight up and down guy that I am (as I am sure there are others out there), I was to sure on the proxy. Sure there will be people out there who won't allow it but I can accept that. But as far as the grenades go, are they unlimited? Cuz I have not come across that yet. And the LC for my KB the rules state close combat weapon, that said it could be misread. And as for paint schemes would you say that my KB have to be red or can they be blue? I mean it is chaos already right?

GA
I have the codex, so from my understanding is that the limits and bounds for each squad is allowed only there weapons. Whilst the champ may have nearly unlimited possibilities, not that I wouldn't glue stuff together for really cool models. but I fear as for however cool they may be I would not be able to table them.

So about these warp flame gargoyles, would I have to GS it for the vindy?

To be honest I am kinda bummed that I have to have a champion, but eh now is that the same for loyalist Marines? And sense I am being honest, after some research I did not want to dive into this hobby/"lifestyle" (cuz it ain't cheap and takes loads of time) with the probability that the codex would be changing quickly. With that said has anyone seen or heard news on it GW is coming out with SM codex?

 Wrecker wrote:
Thank you all!

Right, thanks for the clarification, but being the staunch straight up and down guy that I am (as I am sure there are others out there), I was to sure on the proxy. Sure there will be people out there who won't allow it but I can accept that. But as far as the grenades go, are they unlimited? Cuz I have not come across that yet. And the LC for my KB the rules state close combat weapon, that said it could be misread. And as for paint schemes would you say that my KB have to be red or can they be blue? I mean it is chaos already right?

GA
I have the codex, so from my understanding is that the limits and bounds for each squad is allowed only there weapons. Whilst the champ may have nearly unlimited possibilities, not that I wouldn't glue stuff together for really cool models. but I fear as for however cool they may be I would not be able to table them.

So about these warp flame gargoyles, would I have to GS it for the vindy?

To be honest I am kinda bummed that I have to have a champion, but eh now is that the same for loyalist Marines? And sense I am being honest, after some research I did not want to dive into this hobby/"lifestyle" (cuz it ain't cheap and takes loads of time) with the probability that the codex would be changing quickly. With that said has anyone seen or heard news on it GW is coming out with SM codex?

in simplest terms, if its possible to do it in the codex, then go for it! people are pretty lax for the most when it comes to What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG), but models are always better when their visible options apply in the game. try not to proxy as much as you can - its a horrid addiction!

and don't worry about your models looking rubbish. little tip for new hobbyists? use blue tack. take a part and tack it and see what it looks like before glueing it. ask your friends even - "does this look badass?" - and see what they say. then glue it and enjoy! generally people like a nice, neat and unique conversion, so just keep experimenting - its all part of the hobby!

anyways, have a great time with your chaos minis, and all the best for your 40k future

GA

P.S. grenades are unlimited. Throw away!

 Wrecker wrote:
Thank you all!

Right, thanks for the clarification, but being the staunch straight up and down guy that I am (as I am sure there are others out there), I was to sure on the proxy. Sure there will be people out there who won't allow it but I can accept that. But as far as the grenades go, are they unlimited? Cuz I have not come across that yet. And the LC for my KB the rules state close combat weapon, that said it could be misread. And as for paint schemes would you say that my KB have to be red or can they be blue? I mean it is chaos already right?

GA
I have the codex, so from my understanding is that the limits and bounds for each squad is allowed only there weapons. Whilst the champ may have nearly unlimited possibilities, not that I wouldn't glue stuff together for really cool models. but I fear as for however cool they may be I would not be able to table them.

So about these warp flame gargoyles, would I have to GS it for the vindy?

To be honest I am kinda bummed that I have to have a champion, but eh now is that the same for loyalist Marines? And sense I am being honest, after some research I did not want to dive into this hobby/"lifestyle" (cuz it ain't cheap and takes loads of time) with the probability that the codex would be changing quickly. With that said has anyone seen or heard news on it GW is coming out with SM codex?

You can paint your models in whichever way you like. However, as far as I know, KB have red helmets in all the GW pictures and then the armour is whatever colour the rest of the army is. But since these are your models it's your choice how you paint them.
Loyalist SM also always have to take a Champion but it's called a Sergeant in their codex.
Blue CSM? Could that be Night Lords?

General Annoyance wrote:

in simplest terms, if its possible to do it in the codex, then go for it! people are pretty lax for the most when it comes to What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG), but models are always better when their visible options apply in the game. try not to proxy as much as you can - its a horrid addiction!

and don't worry about your models looking rubbish. little tip for new hobbyists? use blue tack. take a part and tack it and see what it looks like before glueing it. ask your friends even - "does this look badass?" - and see what they say. then glue it and enjoy! generally people like a nice, neat and unique conversion, so just keep experimenting - its all part of the hobby!

anyways, have a great time with your chaos minis, and all the best for your 40k future

GA

P.S. grenades are unlimited. Throw away!

Love that I can "throw away"! And as for the tack that's brilliant wish I had come here sooner.

FlamestormA wrote:

You can paint your models in whichever way you like. However, as far as I know, KB have red helmets in all the GW pictures and then the armour is whatever colour the rest of the army is. But since these are your models it's your choice how you paint them.
Loyalist SM also always have to take a Champion but it's called a Sergeant in their codex.
Blue CSM? Could that be Night Lords?

Yeah as far as my blue KB its really for a test paint scheme, for (what I hope to see in the near future) my SM chapter. Something similar to the storm wardens. But what I figure is, ill have dos armies that I can play and be flexible with. Not so much the night lords, more like a blue legion/war band from the black legion .




Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also quick question, I have plague marines two have bolt pistols. Of those two one has a grenade in is hand the other has a plague knife. From the info you all have given, have I wasted a pistol where I could've had a bolter? Being that it requires two hands?

 Wrecker wrote:

General Annoyance wrote:

in simplest terms, if its possible to do it in the codex, then go for it! people are pretty lax for the most when it comes to What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG), but models are always better when their visible options apply in the game. try not to proxy as much as you can - its a horrid addiction!

and don't worry about your models looking rubbish. little tip for new hobbyists? use blue tack. take a part and tack it and see what it looks like before glueing it. ask your friends even - "does this look badass?" - and see what they say. then glue it and enjoy! generally people like a nice, neat and unique conversion, so just keep experimenting - its all part of the hobby!

anyways, have a great time with your chaos minis, and all the best for your 40k future

GA

P.S. grenades are unlimited. Throw away!

Love that I can "throw away"! And as for the tack that's brilliant wish I had come here sooner.

FlamestormA wrote:

You can paint your models in whichever way you like. However, as far as I know, KB have red helmets in all the GW pictures and then the armour is whatever colour the rest of the army is. But since these are your models it's your choice how you paint them.
Loyalist SM also always have to take a Champion but it's called a Sergeant in their codex.
Blue CSM? Could that be Night Lords?

Yeah as far as my blue KB its really for a test paint scheme, for (what I hope to see in the near future) my SM chapter. Something similar to the storm wardens. But what I figure is, ill have dos armies that I can play and be flexible with. Not so much the night lords, more like a blue legion/war band from the black legion .




Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also quick question, I have plague marines two have bolt pistols. Of those two one has a grenade in is hand the other has a plague knife. From the info you all have given, have I wasted a pistol where I could've had a bolter? Being that it requires two hands?

in advance sorry for long quoting - takes an age to delete everything on a tablet.

who says bolters are two handed?! its a space marine! (a very filthy one but still a space marine)

it might be a challenge for a newbie, but what you could do is cut off the end of the bolt pistol so only the handle remains. next, take a bolter and cut the handle off. file both bits and glue together. Ta da! one handed boltgun.

hope this helped

and don't forget the tack!

GA

Sweet thanks, now I just need some tack and more bolsters!

Anyone have the value of KB pt'd per model? I am at work with out a codex :/

Welcome! Being a noob myself, and only really knowing the Necron codex, I can't give you much advice. However, you have come to the right place to find answers!

Hello, and Welcome to DakkaDakka!

Hi,

Welcome to Dakka

welcome to dakkadakka :-)

Welcome to the community my friend!

LET THE GALAXY BURN!!!
(sorry, I get a little excited when I meet another chaos player...)

Can't wait to see some pictures of your work!

Hello and welcome to Dakka Dakka!