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.

Getting back into 40k and I was wondering what I should get next based one what I bought years ago. I currently have:

The Chaos half of the Dark Vengeance box set (1 Helbrute, Chaos Lord, 6 Chosen and 2 squads of ten cultists)
1 Chaos Lord in terminator armour
1 squad of chaos terminators

I was definitely considering picking up the start collecting box but wasn't sure where to go from there?

I'd say you can't go wrong with some Chaos Space Marines for more troops, and some Rhino transports to move them around in. The Start Collecting box is a great buy.

Maybe some Havocs too, for some fire support, and bits for giving chaos space marines different heavy weapons, or Raptors for something fast.

I'm in a similar situation - I started with dark vengeance. I've added a few boxes of raptors because I like the models - I don't think they are very good though.

Spawn's seem good, and can be made from any monster you like the look of, but they used to be 40mm bases and are now 50mm, so I've got to change the ones I made.

More cultists seem like a great option to fill troops - I've got some frostgrave cultists and stargrave guns waiting to be built.

I converted an old gw troll into a demon prince. Not a fan of the gw kit.


The CSM rules being reprinted in the next campaign book suggests that it'll be a year at least untill the new CSM book comes out. I'm hoping for an Emperor's children supplement before then, but that seems unlikely (it'll either be a full book, or a supplement after the CSM book).

The biggest difficulty right now is we're almost a year into 9th Edition and the Codexes aren't following similar design paths.
Space Marine units basically get whatever options are compatible with the models even if they aren't included in the box, i.e. Tacticals can take all the Devastator weapons.
Meanwhile, Death Guard are restricted on certain wargear options for certain units like Plague Marines and Blightlord Terminators.
You could get a unit, build it how you want in line with the current rules, and then a couple of months later it's illegal.
As someone else said, GW are printing all the rules CSM got during Psychic Awakening in a new campaign book which isn't a good sign.
I'm sitting on 3 CSM armies rn and I wouldn't play any of them against a 9th Ed army like Necrons or SM.

I would have a think about which way you want to lean with your chaos force. is there a particular legion that you like? This may guide your next few picks, but you honestly can't go wrong with the Start Collecting box as a reasonably priced boost to what you have.

Also, I saw someone say somewhere that the dark vengeance chosen make great characters and CSM unit leaders - the maul guy is a good apostle?

I believe the CSM start collecting box only has three bolt guns in it, so if you want to have two units of 5 models you have to use the plasma as a counts as bolt rifle?

The CSM SC box is just a repackaged battle box of simple minis and t's the only way to get a Master of Possessions, Obliterators, and the Venom Crawler. As a SC box, it's bad and nowhere near as good as most others.
As for the OP's Dark Vengeance stuff, use the mace Chosen as a Dark Apostle.

So I'm painting everything as Word Bearers as I've enjoyed their Horus Heresy books so far. So I was thinking about getting some of the possessed but the models are a bit dated.

thegreenplant wrote:Getting back into 40k and I was wondering what I should get next based one what I bought years ago. I currently have:

The Chaos half of the Dark Vengeance box set (1 Helbrute, Chaos Lord, 6 Chosen and 2 squads of ten cultists)
1 Chaos Lord in terminator armour
1 squad of chaos terminators

I was definitely considering picking up the start collecting box but wasn't sure where to go from there?

It would help if we knew where you want to go. There's a lot of directions you can go with CSM. What Legions/Renegades are you interested in? Do you want to go infantry heavy or do you want some vehicles? And if so, do you prefer daemon engines or tanks/dreadnoughts? If you like daemon engines the SC box includes a Venom Crawler, those can be good.

Gert wrote:The biggest difficulty right now is we're almost a year into 9th Edition and the Codexes aren't following similar design paths.
Space Marine units basically get whatever options are compatible with the models even if they aren't included in the box, i.e. Tacticals can take all the Devastator weapons.
Meanwhile, Death Guard are restricted on certain wargear options for certain units like Plague Marines and Blightlord Terminators.
You could get a unit, build it how you want in line with the current rules, and then a couple of months later it's illegal.
As someone else said, GW are printing all the rules CSM got during Psychic Awakening in a new campaign book which isn't a good sign.
I'm sitting on 3 CSM armies rn and I wouldn't play any of them against a 9th Ed army like Necrons or SM.

Why not? CSM have been on the backfoot for several editions, it's nothing new.

Edit: Ah, Word Bearers. Yes, definitely Possessed and anything else with the DAEMON keyword should fit. If you don't like the current Possessed models you could kitbash your own. Maybe some parts from the Possessed kit on the new CSM models.

There's a difference between being on the backfoot and being utterly outclassed. I could still win a game from 6th-8th if I played well, which is how the game *should* work. A single CSM vs a single Tactical was a balanced match-up pre-9th but now they aren't as SM have 2 wounds now.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

thegreenplant wrote:
So I'm painting everything as Word Bearers as I've enjoyed their Horus Heresy books so far. So I was thinking about getting some of the possessed but the models are a bit dated.

I would take a look at Pete the Wargamer's YouTube channel. He did some Possessed conversions not long ago. If you want to use Greater Possessed, while they are expensive, Gal Vorbak from FW are some of the best models I think FW have made.
They are Nurgle possessed but honestly they are far superior to the GW ones, I don't think it matters too much.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1_FOLWH2S0&list=PLx-NpAfOQqc1-RYKxUbl89rIwrODpuMv7&index=23

 Gert wrote:
There's a difference between being on the backfoot and being utterly outclassed. I could still win a game from 6th-8th if I played well, which is how the game *should* work. A single CSM vs a single Tactical was a balanced match-up pre-9th but now they aren't as SM have 2 wounds now.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

thegreenplant wrote:
So I'm painting everything as Word Bearers as I've enjoyed their Horus Heresy books so far. So I was thinking about getting some of the possessed but the models are a bit dated.

I would take a look at Pete the Wargamer's YouTube channel. He did some Possessed conversions not long ago. If you want to use Greater Possessed, while they are expensive, Gal Vorbak from FW are some of the best models I think FW have made.
They are Nurgle possessed but honestly they are far superior to the GW ones, I don't think it matters too much.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1_FOLWH2S0&list=PLx-NpAfOQqc1-RYKxUbl89rIwrODpuMv7&index=23

Again, you get Gt possesed in the SC box, along with the venom crawler, oblits and a master of possession. It's a good buy for Word Bearers. I don't run this theme in my chaos so have no idea how best to source actual possessed.

I was definitely thinking about picking up at least one damonengine as they are just such nice models. Will have a look at kitbashing some possessed of my own. The Gal Vorbak and the new Argel Tal model are definitely on the wishlist as well.

 bullyboy wrote:

Spoiler:

 Gert wrote:
There's a difference between being on the backfoot and being utterly outclassed. I could still win a game from 6th-8th if I played well, which is how the game *should* work. A single CSM vs a single Tactical was a balanced match-up pre-9th but now they aren't as SM have 2 wounds now.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

thegreenplant wrote:
So I'm painting everything as Word Bearers as I've enjoyed their Horus Heresy books so far. So I was thinking about getting some of the possessed but the models are a bit dated.

I would take a look at Pete the Wargamer's YouTube channel. He did some Possessed conversions not long ago. If you want to use Greater Possessed, while they are expensive, Gal Vorbak from FW are some of the best models I think FW have made.
They are Nurgle possessed but honestly they are far superior to the GW ones, I don't think it matters too much.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1_FOLWH2S0&list=PLx-NpAfOQqc1-RYKxUbl89rIwrODpuMv7&index=23

Again, you get Gt possesed in the SC box, along with the venom crawler, oblits and a master of possession. It's a good buy for Word Bearers. I don't run this theme in my chaos so have no idea how best to source actual possessed.

Agreed, the units in the SC box would be a good inclusion for a WB army.

@Gert: Loyalists had 2W in 8th as well, just on primaris and not on Classic Marines. We still found ways to compete, and we still can. We have some good tools, find what works for you and give it a shot. Don't be discouraged to play your armies.

thegreenplant wrote:
I was definitely thinking about picking up at least one damonengine as they are just such nice models. Will have a look at kitbashing some possessed of my own. The Gal Vorbak and the new Argel Tal model are definitely on the wishlist as well.

If you're thinking about daemon engines you should definitely be thinking hard about the Lord Discordant. No matter what daemon engines are used in the future (we know they're getting some datasheet upgrades) the Discordant is gonna be in a list that uses them.

I suggest to wait for the new CSM codex, we know what will happen, marines will go to 2 wounds, and their points go up, and daemon engines will go to BS/WS 3+, and their points up as well. The rest is uncertain. The disco lord will probably be debuffed, i dont think his +1 to hit will stay. Will terminators suffer the same fate as their DG counterparts ? Only one special weapon per squad ?

 p5freak wrote:
I suggest to wait for the new CSM codex

I agree with this. An SC box is probably a good choice, but so much could change with a new 9th edition book - it may completely change how you want to approach the faction. If you can wait, then wait.

 Gadzilla666 wrote:


Loyalists had 2W in 8th as well, just on primaris and not on Classic Marines. We still found ways to compete, and we still can. We have some good tools, find what works for you and give it a shot. Don't be discouraged to play your armies.

This is excellent advice.

OP, much of the advice in this thread indicates you should wait until CSM receive their 9th edition codex. That could be a very long wait. I can't get behind that if you're looking to just get back into 40K. It's a wargaming hobby. It's meant to be participated in.

There's an argument that CSM are on the back foot competitively, but such things change constantly and frankly are of little importance unless you're looking to play extremely competitively - doing that generally requires a large time investment and a certain amount of 'meta chasing'.

If it were me, I'd pick up models and units I found aesthetically interesting, or whose background I enjoyed, and run with those. When the codex drops you can look at adjusting your collection accordingly, if you wish.
For now, enjoy yourself. Play some games, paint some cool models, have some fun, learn what's changed in the game, and what you do and do not enjoy. The rest will take care of itself.

The SC box is definitely the way to go. Once it gets separated into individual boxes, it will cost 3 x as much as it does now.

In CAD, I can get that Box for $115, instead of:

MoP: $40 min
Greater Possessed: $50 min
Obliterators: $50 min
Venom Crawler: $60 min
CSM: $70 equivalent

I'm thinking of picking up a second box before they become unavailable. A second MoP is conversion fodder- his backpack would spice up a Lord or a Sorceror. I really want a second VC, and when it's released as a solo kit, I'm looking at $60-80 for just that one unit. The only thing that has me hesitating is that GP and Oblits look challenging to convert, and I don't want two sets of two Identical models. Once I assemble the kits from my first box, I'll have a better idea of how hard it would be to convert.

But to anyone considering this box, I'd say don't wait too long- it will become unavailable when the dex is announced if not before. It will do this without going to "Last Chance to Buy," and you'll just wake up one day to find you don't have the option.

my bet is the SC box will be discontinued when the CSM 'dex releases and we'll see offical kits for greater posessed, MoPs etc.

and chances are they'll actually be subtlly differant so.. yeah get that SC

Get some Obliterators off of Ebay. To me they are one of the few CSM units that are still pretty decent.