http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/65.page JForum - http://www.jforum.net
A little history: I guess I can trace my gaming roots back to an ad in some old magazine for Rogue Trader (it wasnt White Dwarf), and fell in love with the 'beakie' Space Marines. Not knowing anything about them, I drew pics of them blowing stuff up for like a year before I discovered Adeptus Titanicus and the first Space Marine. I LOVED THOSE GAMES. Eventually I got into Warhammer 40k 2nd Edition which we also played alot, as well as all the games during what I consider are Games Workshop's Golden Years: Epic Space Marine/Titan Legions, Man O' War, Necormunda, Warhammer Quest, etc up till soon after Epic 40k and 40k 3rd Edition came out. I was into lots of non-GW games too, like Void 1.1, Vor, Warzone, Battleground: Trinity, and lots of others. I was active in the online playtesting with Epic Armageddon which I thought was so awesome too, but could see that EA wasnt going to be a success like its glory days, and about that time I my interest in games kind of died altogether. So, I sold most of my stuff except my favorites for nostalgia (which is still quite a lot).

Well, even though I wasnt actively in the hobby, I still kept an eye what GW was doing on their site. When 40k 4th edition came out, I bought it out of curiosity, but never played it. When 5th edition came out, I wasnt even the slightest bit interested. As a matter of fact, I was more interested in filling in the missing pieces to my little 40k 2nd edition stuff here and there from Ebay (Squats, Genestealer Cults (remember those?)) when I had money burning a hole in my pocket, even though I dont play it.

Anyway - when Dark Vengeance came out, I was impressed. I never thought I would ever see a Dark Angels/Chaos Marine starter set. I am not even a huge fan of either, but the atmosphere felt much darker than I was used to seeing. I couldnt bring myself to buy the Limited Edition set though.

So for my birthday a few weeks ago, I suggested to my girlfriend that I wouldnt mind getting this game, thinking she would just buy the regular set off the GW site, but she actually researched it and bought me a Limited Edition set off Amazon. I was really impressed. So once I got it, and was blown away by the models, the dark atmosphere, and the Chosen. I immediately set about assembling the models the right way, following the painting guides etc. I bought the Dark Vengeance novella and loved it. I hadnt see this before, where a book kind of gave character to the models in a starter set. I dont read much from the Black Library so I dont know what I am missing out on.

So, after years of being away, I am just blown away with what GW has done with this version of Warhammer 40k. Heck, if it is the last version of 40k, then so be it. I think I'll be set for a long time. Actually I cant see how they can top this.

Its very expensive though. Can't believe a Land Raider runs $70 now. Ouch. I did pick up a Chaos Talon set (which are awesome) to supplement my Crimson Slaughter. Love them.

Anyway, prob the longest intro ever, but just wanted to get that all out. Really excited to learn more about this game.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/547496/5970475.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/547496/5970475.page GMT http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/547496/5970669.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/547496/5970669.page GMT Sounds like you follow a similar timeline as myself.
Their new starter kit IS very good, I picked one up too.

I have a friend that still plays squats to the current edition: found an internet update from 2nd edition (to 5th I think) and we all pitched in on what "should" be the new rules that apply to them for 6th. It is fun times, they give as they take so we may have it all running right.

The sticker shock is a bit nasty, GW really has cut down on "competitive" pricing but if you look around, there are always armies being sold off.

GW has rounded out more of their range from paint, tools and a ton of terrain.

They have released a large mix of models for their huge battle rules "Apocalypse".

Forge-world is breaking stride where some people are finding them competitive in pricing with a bit more detail so you may want to comparison shop.
Their models are supposed to be "official" for use in 40k but there is still some cases for argument.

The new flashy stuff in 40k now is flyers and big stompy models (like in Tau and Eldar).

The new Space Marine codex will be coming out next so many of us are quite excited about it, some sneak peeks of models are already out.

Books: The Eisenhorn, and Ravenor Inquisitor characters by Dan Abnett are great to read as well as Imperial Guard in the form of Gaunt's Ghosts.
Grey Knights from Ben Counter were a fun read of how the elite of demon hunters do their work.
Ciaphas Cain is a lighter side to the "grim-dark" of 40k by Alex Stewart, I really enjoyed these, gives a whole different view of a Commissar for the IG (self interest mixed with a tiny bit of cowardice).
The "Soul Drinker" series explores the idea of a chapter loyal to the emperor but not to how the empire is ran and having the universe to some degree, turn on them.

All that matters is finding the fun, good luck!]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/547496/5970693.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/547496/5970693.page GMT
Does anyone know if they will expand on the Dark Vengeance set? I know 4th Ed produced a book called The Battle Rages On that expanded the scenerios in the starter set. I would love to see something like that for Dark Vengance. Even if they were online.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/547496/5970745.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/547496/5970745.page GMT http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/547496/5970916.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/547496/5970916.page GMT http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/547496/5971017.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/547496/5971017.page GMT http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/547496/5971940.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/547496/5971940.page GMT ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/547496/5972416.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/547496/5972416.page GMT http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/547496/5975096.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/547496/5975096.page GMT
Welcome to Dakka ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/547496/5979119.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/547496/5979119.page GMT http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/547496/5994380.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/547496/5994380.page GMT