WH 40k - I need help!

[MightyMoose]

So some of my friends here in the states have invited me to watch them play WH40k a few times. And now I've been invited to play.

I understand the rules quite well, and think it could be a very fun past-time/Money-sink But I'm having some trouble.

I can't decide on a faction/race. And as such, I am turning to the escapist community of WH40k players to help me decide. I figure I'll keep an unbiased opinion to begin with, and then slowly narrow my way down.

I also will keep some mild preferences (They aren't strong enough to lead me in any particular direction yet) to myself until the first questions are popped.

 

[Lord Harrab]

Space Marines are a good starting force, not so many special rules but they may have changed since i last played

 

[PedroSteckecilo]

You're playing 40k, clearly you do need help. I have the number here of a very reputable psychatrist who can aid you in your quest.

(I kid, I kid)

 

[Usnota]

I agree with the marines as well,
although tyranids arent to complicated and a great race as well (although there is lots of cheese invovled)
and finally the tau, their tactics, rules and models are fairly simple

 

[MightyMoose]

You realise that everyone is going to try and foist every single faction and sub-faction onto you, don't you? Every. Single. One.

Yes, and this is partially the reason for posting. Because I'd like to get as in-depth a description I can get on what choices I have in the long run.

I've played other Table-top games before...most of them obscure things that don't deserve or receive and recognition. I'm fairly gifted with learning quickly, and as such - If I DO end up picking a complicated faction. So be it, I'll eventually get over the learning curve, and enjoy myself.

I'd hate to pick an easy race for the sake of simplicity - and a few games down the line I feel bored and moot with the game. Rather than picking one I enjoyed because of how it is supposed to work/look/operate/etc.

This is why I asked for the informed opinions of the escapist readers, rather than just waltzing down to the local comic shop and purchasing "Easy-kit-Space-marines-001"


EDIT: I'm not so specifically looking for something easy to play (because it's my first army, etc etc.) I'm looking for something that I should enjoy playing/painting.

And thus - I'm asking you which faction(s) you prefer, and why. Good points, bad points. Also, I haven't completely written off the Space Marines yet, they're neat. I just want to know a little more about my options first.

 

[RidleyValiant]

Depends on what you want from your army, if you want huge amounts of fodder backed by heavy armour then imperial guard is the way to go.

If you want long range shooting with high powered weapons with 0 close combat ability then Tau.

If you want hardcore close combat then i'd suggest nids.

Space marines/chaos are the most balanced armies giving you some option on combat and the shooty shooty side of things.

Eldar/Dark Eldar if you fancy hard hitting elite specilist squads with require somewhat precise tactics and use, and speed.

Orks if you like huge masses of troops with funny guns and meat cleavers, that follow the philosophy, more and bigger is better.

Inquisitorial armies, the elite of the imperium forces i've never used so i can't say much, same with the necrons.

Personally i favor Eldar or Tau, though i'm eying up a Grey Knights army in the future

 

[Lord Harrab]

Depends on what you want from your army, if you want huge amounts of fodder backed by heavy armour then imperial guard is the way to go.

If you want long range shooting with high powered weapons with 0 close combat ability then Tau.

If you want hardcore close combat then i'd suggest nids.

Space marines/chaos are the most balanced armies giving you some option on combat and the shooty shooty side of things.

Eldar/Dark Eldar if you fancy hard hitting elite specilist squads with require somewhat precise tactics and use, and speed.

Orks if you like huge masses of troops with funny guns and meat cleavers, that follow the philosophy, more and bigger is better.

Inquisitorial armies, the elite of the imperium forces i've never used so i can't say much, same with the necrons.

Personally i favor Eldar or Tau, though i'm eying up a Grey Knights army in the future

pretty good summery there, good job.

 

[[zonking great]]

As much as I will forever hate myself for saying this, Space Marines are probably your best bet for your first steps into playing. *cries self to sleep*

 

[MightyMoose]

Depends on what you want from your army, if you want huge amounts of fodder backed by heavy armour then imperial guard is the way to go.

If you want long range shooting with high powered weapons with 0 close combat ability then Tau.

If you want hardcore close combat then i'd suggest nids.

Space marines/chaos are the most balanced armies giving you some option on combat and the shooty shooty side of things.

Eldar/Dark Eldar if you fancy hard hitting elite specilist squads with require somewhat precise tactics and use, and speed.

Orks if you like huge masses of troops with funny guns and meat cleavers, that follow the philosophy, more and bigger is better.

Inquisitorial armies, the elite of the imperium forces i've never used so i can't say much, same with the necrons.

Personally i favor Eldar or Tau, though i'm eying up a Grey Knights army in the future

This, this was the type of post I had in mind. Takk, Ridley, and now to divulge a little of my preference;

I'm not a HUGE fan of the whole ranged-combat thing. I like the idea of being the 'underdog' or 'outnumbered' guy in a situation. Underestimated - but able to decimate when played well. Tech/Vehicles are also a big plus for me, I like the idea of steamrolling my enemies in a mobile-suit, or tank of doom. That's all for now. I might get more detailed in a bit.

 

[anNIALLator]

Space Marines are good for starting, they're simple to use and paint. They're the Vanilla of 40K. Eldar are good too. You should steer clear of Chaos marines, they're pretty complicated.
Personally, i love Orks. brilliant in close combat and they're fun to paint.

 

[Lord Harrab]

Space Marines are good for starting, they're simple to use and paint. They're the Vanilla of 40K. Eldar are good too. You should steer clear of Chaos marines, they're pretty complicated.
Personally, i love Orks. brilliant in close combat and they're fun to paint.

they are also surprisingly accurate considering they need 5s (or is it sixes?) to hit at ranged, when i faced them, they kept shooting me up

 

[RidleyValiant]

If thats how you feel about it then I'd probably suggest Eldar as they tend to use small, highly specialised units. Devastating when used well (Though the same could be said for any army) They have a good range of tanks, they also use jetbikes and other fancy gizmos to cover your inner techy. They have the ability to go up close and decimate from range.

 

[Fl@nked]

I am starting a Tau army as well. Should I put the figures together then paint or vice versa?

 

[MightyMoose]

If thats how you feel about it then I'd probably suggest Eldar as they tend to use small, highly specialised units. Devastating when used well (Though the same could be said for any army) They have a good range of tanks, they also use jetbikes and other fancy gizmos to cover your inner techy. They have the ability to go up close and decimate from range.

Point well taken. I'll look into it. Though I've gotta say I wont be sticking to the Bright Blues/Yellows/and Whites I've seen other Eldar armies painted (If I do choose Eldar)...that's just a bit too flamboyant for me. I mean, the faction already is kinda Elfy and Asexual...so I'd rather not paint them in pinks and purples.

 

[Wolvaroo]

PAINT BEFORE YOU GLUE!

Edit: You can always touch up whatever the glueing process has done, but once they're together it can be a colossal pain in the arse to get your brush into certain areas, thus making more of a mess.

 

[Danny Ocean]

Put together then paint, or else the glue will smudge your perfect paint job.

That or the models will be really fragile due to the tiny amount that you will need to put on to avoid the aformentioned smudging.

 

[MightyMoose]

Oy..I've been hijacked by Instructions.

I've always painted before I glued.

Ok, so I'm a tech-junkie, I like to be the underdog, or overwhelmed...but still with just as good a chance to win as anyone else. And I'm not all about the 'Ranged combat' I prefer stabbing things to shooting them...or blowing them up.

Let me just put it this way - In D&D I tend to play a Cleric or Paladin.

In other RPGs I tend to play the guy who blows things up the most.

In FPS games I prefer explosives and a short range weapon or Bolt-action rifle with a bayonet, rather than the alternatives.

In RTS games, I LOVE being the small force that goes in and completely decimates the overwhelming Hoard of enemies... 'The comeback'

 

[Eyclonus]

If they still have the craftworld rules, I'd suggest Biel-Tan or Saim-Han Eldar. Biel-Tan takes lots of specialist squads, but suffers because they have less cannon-fodder and use a very specific strategy that requires a lot of coordination. Saim-Han are an all jetbike and grav tank force. Fast, vicious and easily capable of breaking through enemy lines and shooting them from behind.

I use to have an Iyanden Eldar force, which is basically using Wraithguard (think the terminator without the skin) and Wraithlords (like the wraithguard only a few feet into the "giant death walker" category).

My last force was Orkz though and mainly because they produce so much comedy, didn't technically win but taking out a force commander and his termniator bodyguards, only to lose it all against a few measly scouts is hilarious. I guess the other thing I liked was the Ork shooting paradox, for some reason everytime my opponent counted on orkz missing in the shooting phase, I'd be picking up 6's on everything.

 

[Wolvaroo]

Although Tau are a rather "shooty" army, They can be very versatile even though they have the least amount of models to choose from (being the newest race). Their Crisis suits are hugely customizable. Their Infantry have the (arguably) best basic weapon in the game. The Hammerhead tank is one of the most feared of all armour. They are also fairly basic to paint (but as with any army can be as complex as you want them to be).

Main downsides being very lacking in the close quarters section and not many unit choices. Also they only have a couple of sub-divisions if that's your thing.

Although like others say, Space marines are a very good and versatile starting army, I have to advise against them as to save you from the fate of being "Just another Space Marine guy" I hate going to gamesworkshop and seeing nearly everyone there playing Marines.