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Hey dakka, I have recently found myself engrossed with Word Bearers, and I think I have settled on them for my 30k army. I like the idea of summoning and love the Gal Vorbrak/Lorgar/Paganism and the such.

I have a sorcerer in Cataphractii armour that I will get built and painted once I am wrapped up with my recent additions to my 40k Wolves.

What is the best direction to go with Word Bearers? What is best at summoning? How do Word Bearers play? Basically all the questions a 30k beginner would ask.

Additionally, are the Ashen Circle worth it? They seems like a waste of points...

How should I build my army from here? BaC is probably the best way to go but is there anything better? is the FW bundle with the upgrade kit worth it?

Thanks guys!
~Mikey

Word Bearers tend to emphasize an infantry-based approach to warfare. Large tactical squads (especially with Dark Channelling), elite guys like Gal Vorbak (use them like Super-Terminators, stick 5 with a PF and PW in an Anvillus, and proceed to destroy) Daemonic allies, and as of now, unrivaled domination in the Psychic phase (until 1k sons specific stuff is out) is the word of the day.

If you like the idea of summoning, you want Zardu Layak for your HQ. He's an ML2 Daemon. You also may want an allied detachment of Chaos Daemons for extra warp charges.

Ashen Circle can be used like ASM +1, but like you've noted, they're not that great. Just too expensive for what they do. But Layak as your HQ makes them troops and forces them to take Dark Channelling, which is a buff. Basically, great for a fluffy force, otherwise disregard. The models are great, though.

As far as starting out, B@C is where I'd go. The bundle is good if you want to chest/head/shoulder pad upgrades, but otherwise there's no difference. You can use the prospero box if you like Mk3 armor and Tartaros terminator armor, but you'll get less use out of the rest of it (Legion specific HQ's, and no use for the Custodes or SoS even as allies for the first among traitors)

Yeah, I have the two beginning books (Legiones astartes army lists and the book with the Word Bearers characters and legion specifics)

What do I want to use for daemons? I don't own the codex, and I don't really know much about them, I do wan't to use Tzeentch or Slannesh though.

I have a use for the stuff in the prospero box, and I really wan't an excuse of grabbing the SoS and Custodes for 40k, and the legion specific character is gonna be in my 40k wolves, but I don't like the idea of mixed armour. The tartaros look a lot better, but they seem inferior to Cataphrachii, is this the case?

Well, Tzeentch is they way to go if you're summoning for more charges. Pink horrors add charges, which let you summon more horrors, who add more charges, etc. I like Bloodletters or Plaguebearers personally, but that's just because I like Khorne and Nurgle more than any gameplay related reason.

I don't personally do mixed armor either, so I went with the mk4 stuff. FWIW, the Ashen Circle are in mk3 though, so it's not like the Legion was all in one armor mark.

I like Tartaros more because it allows you to sweep. They need a transport regardless, so the 4++ loses value to me. I dunno, outside of HQ models or command squads, I stay away from Terminator armor in general. My Chaplain I run with Tartaros, though, because I can attach him to a squad without killing their mobility.

I'm happy to hear tartaros is better than cataphracii, as it looks infinitely cooler.

I think I'll grab BaC and some daemons to start off my WB, I already have the WW sorcerer so that avenue is covered.

Any input on slannesh? Specifically KoS (as I love the FW model) and seakers. Also, is the tainted dread any good, and is it fluffy/allowed to take more than one? I don't think its fluffy, as its fluff suggests there is only one, but, the rules don't seem clear, I like how it looks so much that its worth a shot to take multiple.

Honestly? I've never really had any personal interest in Slaanesh, so I've not really looked too far into them. I know that Daemonettes eat heavy-armored infantry, and that's about it.

As far as the Mhara Gal dread, it's expensive (points wise) and it does basically the same thing as a Leviathan dread, just not as good. The only transport it can take is a Kharbadyis (spelling?), and it's just as dangerous to your own psykers and daemons (the things we specialize in) as the opponents. You want to run him as a melee or hybrid build, don't bother going shooty. A contemptor Mortis or a Deredeo would do that better AND cheaper. It needs to be in the opponents face to be worthwhile.

It's a really awesome model. I really want to love it. It's just too specialized, and that works against it. It's not unique, however, so you could run more than one if desired.

1D4 chan has a lot to say if you search 1d4 chan legions.
I don't know if it's all true and good, but it may be worthhwile

I find 1D4Chan entertaining but usually it is riddled with rules errors and has some pretty crappy tactica.

However, I will give the article a shot because it will at the very least give me some starting points!

Thank you!
~Mikey