Thinking about getting into Warhammer 40000

[Friendshipandmagic]

The tabletop game that is. I've been playing some Dawn of War and started reading about the lore just a few days ago, so I'm a total noob.

I just got done reading the section on the Grey knights at the lexicanum and damn. I got to get an army of these guys.

Spoiler

Hells yes.

So, any players here want to give me some beginner tips? How do they play in comparison to "normal" space marine troops? I always see battles in this game us a CRAP-TON of figures, how many do I need of what to get started?

 

[SL33TBL1ND]

I always see battles in this game us a CRAP-TON of figures, how many do I need of what to get started?

Really? Most games I see barely have 5 figures a side. Keep in mind I don't actually play, though.

 

[Friendshipandmagic]

I always see battles in this game us a CRAP-TON of figures, how many do I need of what to get started?

Really? Most games I see barely have 5 figures a side. Keep in mind I don't actually play, though.

I just got done watching a match on youtube, must have been like 300 Orcs vrs I don't know how many Imperial Guardsmen.

 

[Traun]

1. This is an expensive hobby, keep that in mind, even for a Demon Hunter army.
2. Look at the lore really good. If you liked Demon Hunters you may also like some of the Space Marine Chapters (perosnally I'm a fan of the Blood Angels, but w/e).
3. If you are interested in lore > This place is awesome [http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Main_Page]
4. Be sure that you have a place to play. This is a table-top game, you can't play it online, find if you there are other people interested in your local area or atleast you have one (or several) friends who are willing to do so.

 

[SL33TBL1ND]

I always see battles in this game us a CRAP-TON of figures, how many do I need of what to get started?

Really? Most games I see barely have 5 figures a side. Keep in mind I don't actually play, though.

I just got done watching a match on youtube, must have been like 300 Orcs vrs I don't know how many Imperial Guardsmen.

Ah, that would be why. Most people play Space Marines, which usually means they end up with the afore mentioned 5 units. But if you're playing one of those factions, yeah, you need a shittonne more.

 

[Friendshipandmagic]

1. This is an expensive hobby, keep that in mind, even for a Demon Hunter army.
2. Look at the lore really good. If you liked Demon Hunters you may also like some of the Space Marine Chapters (perosnally I'm a fan of the Blood Angels, but w/e).
3. If you are interested in lore > This place is awesome [http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Main_Page]
4. Be sure that you have a place to play. This is a table-top game, you can't play it online, find if you there are other people interested in your local area or atleast you have one (or several) friends who are willing to do so.

1= Yhea I hear that, I'm prepared for it.

2= Admittedly I have yet to read to much about the other Space Marine chapters.

3= I mentioned that site in the OP, I've been reading up there. It is awesome.

4= I know a couple of people who also play, friend of mine plays an Eldar army.

 

[Bostur]

I've been out of the hobby for a while. But still some general advice.

You need some space. A reasonably sized table to play on, dining table will do but something larger is better. You also need a good work space for assembling and painting the miniatures, and space for storing them.
A basement is perfect for both playing and assembling/painting.

Make sure you don't have to fight on the home-front as well as in outer space. If you need to use the dining room table for playing, it sucks if your mum, wife or hubby needs it 1 hour later for serving dinner.

Start small. Don't go and buy a huge army at first. Buy a few models, assemble them, paint them, see if you like it.
You can use the same approach for setting up some small games. 1-2 units a side and some makeshift terrain can make for some quick and fun games to get used to the concept. The WH40K boxed sets usually contains enough models to get you started.

Don't be afraid to become a child again. Making pew-pew noises when your toy soldiers makes a suicide charge up the hill is perfectly acceptable ;-)

 

[Friendshipandmagic]

I've been out of the hobby for a while. But still some general advice.

You need some space. A reasonably sized table to play on, dining table will do but something larger is better. You also need a good work space for assembling and painting the miniatures, and space for storing them.
A basement is perfect for both playing and assembling/painting.

Make sure you don't have to fight on the home-front as well as in outer space. If you need to use the dining room table for playing, it sucks if your mum, wife or hubby needs it 1 hour later for serving dinner.

Start small. Don't go and buy a huge army at first. Buy a few models, assemble them, paint them, see if you like it.
You can use the same approach for setting up some small games. 1-2 units a side and some makeshift terrain can make for some quick and fun games to get used to the concept. The WH40K boxed sets usually contains enough models to get you started.

Don't be afraid to become a child again. Making pew-pew noises when your toy soldiers makes a suicide charge up the hill is perfectly acceptable ;-)

Um...this game can fight in outer space? I've seen some models of Space Marine drop ships, those get USED in FIGHTING? Holy crap.

I think I'll get a squad of like, 5 Grey knight Marines, a Brother-Captain and one Hero unit. If I wanted to stay as close to fluff as possible, what do you think a small squad arrangement looks like? Does anything go as long as I keep the squad cost within the level we are playing at or are there more rules than that?

I'm tempted to just get stuff that looks cool. I bet Lord Kaldor Draigo with a few Grey knight crusaders would just about make a bloodthirster wet itself.

This guy,

Spoiler

With like 4 of these,

Spoiler

Would that be ok though? I should get a codex shouldn't I?

Also, I have NO problem with acting childish. I'm gonna be shouting hate prayers every time one of my units does anything.

"I am the hammer, I am the right hand of the Emperor, the instrument of His will, the gauntlet about His fist, the tip of His spear, the edge of His sword."

Oh, I bet this guy kicks ass. He will look very dashing next to Lord Kaldor Draigo in battle.

Spoiler

 

[warrcry13]

I'm totally crazy about Warhammer 40k. Don't do tabletop because I have no money, and I know not of a place in Alabama to play. I would personally go Imperial Guard.

 

[Judgement101]

Always go Space Marines! For the Emperor such and such.

 

[keideki]

The tabletop game that is. I've been playing some Dawn of War and started reading about the lore just a few days ago, so I'm a total noob.

I just got done reading the section on the Grey knights at the lexicanum and damn. I got to get an army of these guys.

Spoiler

Hells yes.

So, any players here want to give me some beginner tips? How do they play in comparison to "normal" space marine troops? I always see battles in this game us a CRAP-TON of figures, how many do I need of what to get started?

Cost lots of money to get into a good sized army. Just don't play space marines (I generally don't have a problem with 'em, but there are just too many space marine players.) Last year I went to a tourney and I swear 75% of the players had not only the same army (Space Marines) but pretty much the same lists. Makes for a boring battle if every time I bring my Tau to the local games store, the only people I have to battle are space marines, again..

 

[Friendshipandmagic]

I'm totally crazy about Warhammer 40k. Don't do tabletop because I have no money, and I know not of a place in Alabama to play. I would personally go Imperial Guard.

I have nothing but respect for the men fighting in the Imperial Guard, but I do not want to have to get and maintain that many troops.

I think I'd rather keep my army small, but with expensive powerful units.

Cost lots of money to get into a good sized army. Just don't play space marines (I generally don't have a problem with 'em, but there are just too many space marine players.) Last year I went to a tourney and I swear 75% of the players had not only the same army (Space Marines) but pretty much the same lists. Makes for a boring battle if every time I bring my Tau to the local games store, the only people I have to battle are space marines, again..

But...I want an army of future paladins from space...with psychic powers....and glowy weapons...of doom.

I don't care what everyone plays, I want a grey knight army.

 

[BigDeadMushy]

bah,lackeys of the corpse-emperor!grandfather nurgle will forgive you though,if you join his cause.he'll give you a lovely gift too,don't you want a gift from grandfather nurgle?

OT : i suggest finding your local GW store, that way you can find your nearest gaming club (most clubs meet at least once a week,quite often hosting tournies and apocalypse battles on weekends)
if you can't find the GW store,pick up a White Dwarf magazine from a newsagent,they list the addresses of all the stores and clubs in the back.

 

[Grufflenark]

I always see battles in this game us a CRAP-TON of figures, how many do I need of what to get started?

Really? Most games I see barely have 5 figures a side. Keep in mind I don't actually play, though.

I just got done watching a match on youtube, must have been like 300 Orcs vrs I don't know how many Imperial Guardsmen.

This may be a late response but..
Imperial Guard and Orks tend to have quite a few more units than other races/factions.

 

[Friendshipandmagic]

Oh, important question.

Is there a large difference between plastic, resin, or metal figures? What kind should I be looking for to get the best quality stuff?

 

[Bostur]

Um...this game can fight in outer space? I've seen some models of Space Marine drop ships, those get USED in FIGHTING? Holy crap.

I think I'll get a squad of like, 5 Grey knight Marines, a Brother-Captain and one Hero unit. If I wanted to stay as close to fluff as possible, what do you think a small squad arrangement looks like? Does anything go as long as I keep the squad cost within the level we are playing at or are there more rules than that?

I'm tempted to just get stuff that looks cool. I bet Lord Kaldor Draigo with a few Grey knight crusaders would just about make a bloodthirster wet itself.

Getting a codex is definately a good idea. They have some nice lore goodies as well.

I think you will need some more rank and file than what you mention. Keep in mind that they have to move as one unit, and stay within a certain range of each other. Space marines usually fight in 5-man squads. Three 5-man squads and a bit of support would make a good small starting army.

The formal rules of making an army is described in the codexes. In practice using what you have available and modifying the rules for that can work too. Just make sure you agree with your opponent on any rule changes.

Um...this game can fight in outer space? I've seen some models of Space Marine drop ships, those get USED in FIGHTING? Holy crap.

Nah WH40K all happens planet side. My outer space comment was just a matter of speech. I do believe GW made a ruleset for ship to ship battles in space though:
http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/armySubUnitCats.jsp?catId=cat490024a&rootCatGameStyle=

 

[BigDeadMushy]

resin models are usually specialist units and vehicles from forgeworld
metal models are usually special troops,either named characters or troop command units etc.
the bulk of your army should be made of plastics,and you'll be thankful for it in the end.
start small.if you've settled on grey knights,pick up the codex (will run you about $60ish,can't say for sure since I haven't needed a new army book for a while) and write up your army before buying any models.start with about 500-750 points and go from there,borrow some models off friends or other club goers to playtest as you build

edited to include:from GW there is ALSO a space combat game called Battlefleet Gothic,a tabletop RPG called Inquisitor and many more...without even jumping genres to the fantasy side (I'm a huge Blood Bowl fan myself,Champions of Death RAAWR!!)

 

[Raddra]

Orcs and Imperial guard tend to ave about 5 times more units than other factions.

Imperial Guard -can- condence down though, as they're one of the factions than you can play an armored company with. Lots of tanks.

 

[Friendshipandmagic]

resin models are usually specialist units and vehicles from forgeworld
metal models are usually special troops,either named characters or troop command units etc.
the bulk of your army should be made of plastics,and you'll be thankful for it in the end.
start small.if you've settled on grey knights,pick up the codex (will run you about $60ish,can't say for sure since I haven't needed a new army book for a while) and write up your army before buying any models.start with about 500-750 points and go from there,borrow some models off friends or other club goers to playtest as you build

edited to include:from GW there is ALSO a space combat game called Battlefleet Gothic,a tabletop RPG called Inquisitor and many more...without even jumping genres to the fantasy side (I'm a huge Blood Bowl fan myself,Champions of Death RAAWR!!)

Alright, thanks. I'm gonna pick up the codex and do some reading. Thanks for the help.

 

[BigDeadMushy]

no worries at all ^_^
and like I said,find your local gaming club,some of them are a wealth of information