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Hey everybody, I'm Daysleeper16, although if you're in the UK, I guess I'm just posting during your normal hours

Anyway, brand new to the game. I've spent 3 weeks consuming everything I could - tutorials, advice columns, faction info, etc. I just got the Core Book and the Starter Set. The problem is, GW is so proprietary with their specific info that it's been difficult figuring out a few things about how I want to play the game. I don't have enough disposable income to buy a ton of Codex and dabble. So I'm going to ask you guys some questions (mostly faction related) so I can make an informed choice and buy a Codex, a Combat Patrol, and a few key models.

1) In MTG, I played blue counterspell because I loved short-circuiting plans and making my opponents frustrated. I played goalie for the hockey team because I loved the deflated groan from my opponents when I'd stop a nice shot. You get the idea. I enjoy the look in an opponent's eyes when they realize I'm going to make everything difficult for them.

What faction represents this style of play in 40K? I've been leaning heavily towards Death Guard, but I'm open to suggestions. I want this to be my main. And if it is Death Guard, what sub-factions would you suggest?

2) On the other hand, I also love the idea of being able to plink away at an enemy from a safe distance. I'm not talking about heavy weapons. Snipers and the longest range ballistics possible. Who is the best (far) ranged army?

3) On the other other hand....the foot?...I love the idea of a straight up no-nonsense Tyranid swarm army. Is this viable in Matched, and what are some key units to make it work well?

4) What army will most consistently make you say, "Ah, Crap" and roll your eyes when they hit the table? Like you know win or lose you're not going to enjoy the match as much?

4) What is the absolute worst/least successful army to field in Matched/GT play? Seems like maybe the Genestealers?

5) Are most of the armies "Soup" armies, or are committed faction armies more common? Are there in-game benefits to a homogenized army? Or is it just committing to a theme for the sake of fun? Is it legal to simply mix and match from the same empire (Imperium, Chaos, etc?) Or are there units within those empires who cannot fight together? Like, I know Tyranids don't GAF because they're all hive-minded. But would a Khrone Detachment and a Nurgle Detachment be fine in the same army?

6) In a vacuum, who are the most overpowered HQs in the entire game right now? I mean the dudes you'd want to build around?

7) Sub-Question on the Death Guard - Can I use Mortarion in a Battle Forged Army? How? I don't get the Warlord thing. Also, should I?

8) Who gets to pick the terrain? Seems like that's a HUGE advantage for some armies.

9) I've read there are armies that are very good at being "entrenched," or "standing their ground." What's the benefit of this playstyle?

10) Can you use any previous models from earlier editions that you dig up? Or do they have to have a datasheet in 9th?

Thank you in advance. I reserve the right to ask more dumb questions later. Happy to be here!!

Hello, and welcome to Dakka!

The answer to numbers 1 and 2 in my mind is the Tau. They favor unparalleled long-range firepower, but in a mobile way not static heavy weapons like the Imperial Guard. They are infamous for getting that look of frustration across the tabletop that you are describing. Sometimes deserved, sometimes not. Personally I would recommend Eldar. They are fast and can specialize in whatever you want. They have lots of fun tools with their psykers. Mobility wins games at the highest levels and they have access to some of the fastest units. Thousand Suns have the best psychic control game, to a silly degree. That seems pretty blue control. You may consider checking them out. Death Guard might bore you. They tend to be slow and ponderous, and more melee oriented.

I don't play much Matched anymore, but Tyranids are one of the best armies out there. After their recent round of nerfs via Balance Dataslates and price increases they may not be numero uno. Swarms are a skew matchup. If your opponent does not have the tools to deal with match infantry, congrats on the win. If they do... I hope you like removing models (I often play horde guard so I actually find it kinda fun). In general skew lists will win you a couple of games at a tournament but you're often doomed when it comes to top tables.

Weakeast/strongest used to change every week codex releases. You might stay on the bottom for part of an edition or maybe a full edition. Now it can change at the drop of a balance dataslate every 3 months. My advice is to pick something solely based on aesthetics and playstyle.

Terrain, and maybe more importantly what rules pack for terrain you use, is generally decided during setup or before the game day and is generally a casual discussion. If it's a tournament, the TO will decide everything. The general rule is try not to game it and see things from your opponent's view. Make a map that offers line of sight blocking terrain for both sides, with the mission and objectives in mind. Tabletop Titans have a nice video on this on Youtube.

Committed faction armies are more common in 9th with how building your army works (it costs command points now, whereas before you gained CP by taking more). As anything else, this is subject to change.

I'm going to tag in someone else on some of the more meta-specific questions.

Good luck on your 40k journey! Remember it's a hobby, and at the end of the day it's about self-improvement and making friends.

Welcome to dakka! As to choosing your army my advice would be to get the one you like models and fluff of. Rules, points etc. can change often, invalidating your current army so you could lose more often but you will still have minis and background to enjoy. Also bear in mind that all the rumours from previously valiable sources point at 10th edition coming this year so it may be either cosmetic change or entirely new ruleset as well.