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With all the time I have to spend inside due to quarantine, I decided that this was a good time to get back into 40k.
I last played doing 3rd edition so a lot has changed since then.
General questions:
1: There are sooo many books now. Which do I need to get started, which are nice to have but not needed, and which can I ignore?
2: From looking at army lists, the force organisation chart seems to be expanded quite a bit. Is there anything I need to be aware of while I'm putting together my, or can i just do that when I'm getting to play higher point cost games?

I've picked up the Start collecting Space Wolves set, as it seemed to be decent value even if I'm not going to play Space Wolves specificly.
3: What weapons should I assemble the Aggressors with?
4: Is the only way to get chainsword for the Intercessor Sergents, the Space Wolves upgrades?
5: Are there any units i should awoid getting, because they are just not good enough?
6: I'm thinking of doing this list as a 500pts starting point, is this fine?
++ Patrol Detachment (Imperium - Space Marines) [26 PL, 495pts] ++

+ Configuration +

**Chapter Selection**

+ HQ +

Primaris Chaplain [4 PL, 77pts]: 1. Litany of Faith, Litany of Hate

+ Troops +

Intercessor Squad [5 PL, 85pts]: Stalker Bolt Rifle
. 4x Intercessor: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Frag & Krak grenades
. Intercessor Sergeant: Chainsword

Intercessor Squad [5 PL, 90pts]: Auto Bolt Rifle
. 4x Intercessor: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Frag & Krak grenades
. Intercessor Sergeant: Chainsword

+ Elites +

Aggressor Squad [5 PL, 111pts]: 2x Aggressor, Aggressor Sergeant
. Auto Boltstorm Gauntlets/Fragstorm Grenade Launcher

Primaris Apothecary [3 PL, 60pts]

+ Heavy Support +

Eliminator Squad [4 PL, 72pts]
. Eliminator Sergeant: Bolt sniper rifle, Camo cloak
. 2x Eliminator with Bolt Sniper: 2x Bolt pistol, 2x Bolt sniper rifle, 2x Camo cloak, 2x Frag & Krak grenades

++ Total: [26 PL, 495pts] ++

Created with BattleScribe

Thanks

I try to give you the best answers I can. I'll use your numbering system to make it a little easier to follow.

1. If you are going Space Wolves (I am not sure from your post), I just get Codex: Space Wolves for now or Codex: Space Marines if a more general chapter. Honestly, you can kinda skip even getting the BRB if you can get a hold of the rules summary or whatever it is called. About the only thing not covered on the summary is what makes detachments, which is easy to find and remember, and Deployment options. I mostly say this as it is possible that we might be in the later life-cycle of the edition and it might be best to skip a book that may have a year or less of validity. The rules in there aren't so comprehensive that anyone that has been playing for a while won't have a pretty good handle on them by now. It kinda depends on getting Chapter Approved. The points can be sussed from whatever army builder program you like (I use Battlescribe). So the missions really are the big draw for actually getting the book. Finally, as for the Psychic Awakening, it really isn't mandatory. I would certainly hold off until you get a better grasp of your base Codex before adding more rules.

2. Command Points fueling Stratagems is where a large part of where 8th edition is won and loss. The emerging rule of thumb for just about every faction is to try for double battalion (2HQs, 3 Troops)x2 worth of CP at 2000pts. I can't say that is exactly nesscary for Space Wolves or Space Marines in general as I do okay with a single battlion and maybe one of the smaller 1 CP earn detachments (HQ + Elitesx3, Fast Attackx3 or Heavy Support x3). For 500pts with Space Marines a Patrol Detachment is about all you will be able to get.

3. I think the Bolterstorm Gauntlets is the better option. Besides, it you want to get Firestorm Gauntlets, the easy-to-build Agressors only have that option and cost less money. I can't speak too much on Agressors though, as my Primaris army isn't really equipped to make much use of the 3 ETB ones I have.

4. Sadly while Intercessor Sergeants have the option to take select melee weapons the model kit provides none of them. So you have to get an upgrade kit or get those bits from other kits. If you can wait, you can always ask around at your FLGS if anyone has extras if you don't plan on getting Firstborn (i.e. non-Primaris) units.

5. Of your list, I haven't found the Primaris Apothecary to be all that great. I haven't used mine much, but my limited experience has me saying that 9/10 times you be better off just buying more of the dudes you are planning on trying to heal. It is a nice model though, that's why I picked mine up. Also, I don't know if there is any sort of Space Wolf issue with Chaplains/Apothecaries with them. I don't think there is, but it might be good to double check. Ignore, if you aren't making a Space Wolves list.

6. Just starting out I would switch the Stalker Bolt Rifle to regular Bolt Rifles as they provide a wider range of use which is important as you grow your army. Doubly so since you don't have a Capt/Lt to help with re-rolls. I also think a Primaris Captain or Primaris Lieutenant are bit more useful since marines/8th ed is still kinda shooty. Just the same either a Primaris Capt/Lt can more or less be made from an Intercessor kit (even the ETB one) and some extra bits to fancy them up over getting the more expensive single character models. Although, eBay has had some at okay-ish prices.

Welcome back to marines.

1 - What you need is a copy of the rules (you can get the basics free from GW’s web, but there are bits and bobs that you can get elsewhere, missions etc) Battlescribe helps with some of that (detachments are like the old FoC, but with different options)

You will also need your codex.

Optionally, there are a lot of little extras scattered about. Supliments, campaign books, etc. Some of which is some nice stuff.

2- The “basic” detachment is the battalion. 2 HQs, 3 troops min, space for options as long as you don’t get spammy. Gives you 5 command points to spend. If you do want to run a skew list, there are other option. 1 HQ, 3+ FA/Elite/HS. These are listed in the main rule book, and is one of the few things that’s exclusively there. Depending on the point level, there are recommended limits on how many detachments you can have.

3 - 8th is a lot more about combos and synergies than 3rd was. It’s a lot harder to give generic advice. Most of the time, Agressors are going to be better with the bolters. Unless you are playing Salamanders. There are some nasty tricks they can pull with flamers. And that’s just one example. Every bit of advice is going to have a "But, if you are doing XX...” tacked on that can change everything.

4 - I just gave mine powerswords (one a fist) If your bits box is deep enough you might be able to find something that works. Scale is slightly off with the old stuff, but some things still are close enough to work. The Mk III box has some nice chainswords you can just hang off belts/backpacks.

5 - That’s a very loaded question, and a moving target. GW is much better at patching/FAQs, and do an annual point adjustment. So what’s hot now might get it’s points jacked up, and a “meh” unit might drop. Some chapters also get a lot more use out of some units than others. Most things are fine for casual play. Top-table play is an evershifing meta, and a different story.

6 - Not a bad start. Little light on AV firepower. 8th is big on auras and re-rolls. While I’m a huge fan of chaplains, captains are my go-to HQ these days. In general, the rapid fire bolter rifles are the best choice, but rules/points changes have made the others a lot more viable. No wrong answer on those. I might try to core your list around 2xHQ, 3xTroops as that’s where you are going to want to be.