NationStates Jolt Archive

Well...

I'm planning on starting a Warhammer 40k army. I'd like one where I can use a great variety of tactics; Orks, for example, are too limiting, because with them all you can damn well do is charge the opponent while screaming WAAARGH!!! So, can anyone give me any advice?

You can always make an army of pirates, 'cause they.... charge... the.... opponent... while... screaming.... WAAARGH!

damn


or something else

I dont play anymore, kinda grew out of it a long while back. If you do start one though, buy whatever you get in paintable portions, I made the mistake of buying loads at once and then losing enthusiasm. Imperial Guard are a good choice though for starting out, I always had a soft spot for them.

I stopped playing ages ago when they changed the rules, but I'd go for space marines if you're looking for a flexible army. Bear in mind that the main reason I recommend them is because I used to play as them.

Well...

I'm planning on starting a Warhammer 40k army. I'd like one where I can use a great variety of tactics; Orks, for example, are too limiting, because with them all you can damn well do is charge the opponent while screaming WAAARGH!!! So, can anyone give me any advice?
Well, for all roundness, space marines are the army to go for. But they are so incredibly boring. If you're gonna use them, the only thing I can suggest is heavily converting and cutomising, so you've got squads that are actually tailored for different purposes.

Thanx. I can paint 'n everything (I play The Empire in Warhammer) but I was wondering more about the tactics.

With Imperial Guard, sit back and shoot. With Space Marines, dont bother, they are too boring.

The Tau come off as the most anime of the WH40K factions. While they have pretty much the same types of basic units as the other factions, I find their Drones are cool and they stand out from the mostly gothpunk motif of the other factions.

That and playing Fire Warrior makes me think they're interesting if not awesome.

Why does everyone think space marines are so... Boring? I mean... Are they really that boring?

I'm new to 40k, so I'd like lotsa feedback.

Aside from the Space Marines and the Imperial Guard, which army is closest to the Empire from Warhammer Fantasy?

Aah... those were the days...

Imperial guard, get loads of men and loads of tanks.

There's too many men for them all to get killed and the tanks kill everything from afar.

Worked for me.

Or beardy, beardy Blood Angels, with sanguiniary highpriest & honour guard.

That also worked.

If you want great all-roundness, with the draw back of not being able to make many strategies go for Space Marines.

If you want something else the go for Eldar. Speed, Firepower(if you know where to get it), great psychic abilities and many tactics to use...are all attributes to Eldar. In my opinion anyway. Draw back being weak, they have terrible armour.

Imperial Fists! Everyone loves them!
type of space marine if you don't know. had a huge red fist and yellow armor. I stopped playing ages ago, cause I sort of space marines just boring after a while. I always wanted some Catachans though, they're really cool

try the tiranids, endless coverting posabilities and tactics

try the tiranids, endless coverting posabilities and tactics
plus they're easy to paint

plus they're easy to paint

i wouldnt say that i under coted in black, painted the skin purple drybrushed the plates red and White picked out the head and eyes and wepons in difrent colors

For flexible tactics id go eldar, there's so many possibilities with them, plus i like the pure speed they get:)

Space marines can have pretty decent tactics too, if youre willing to buy a hell of a lot of transport vehicles...

sadly that costs a hell of a lot of vehicles so theyre basically a troll-down-the-middle-shooting army.

Eldar rule.

All this talk of Warhammer 40K is boring me...
You should get The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game! A much better version.
By the sounds of it, your 40K units are very limiting, LOTR has no such problem. Of course, you can really only be good or evil, but within these groups are many different armies.

Easy to paint, each soldier can perform a range of attacks etc.
And apparently you guys have one side do all its move, shoot and attach phases first...that sounds odd. LOTR has a much better system. Both sides move, shoot and atack together.

I think everyone should try it!

Shinzawai... Go to amishrakefight.org, you'll enjoy it.

For flexible tactics id go eldar, there's so many possibilities with them, plus i like the pure speed they get:)

Space marines can have pretty decent tactics too, if youre willing to buy a hell of a lot of transport vehicles...

sadly that costs a hell of a lot of vehicles so theyre basically a troll-down-the-middle-shooting army.

Eldar rule.

Yeah they do! I never liked LOTR games and other variations like epic and so on.

Go to www.brikwars.com it's for people who still have thier childhood LEGOs, like me. But if you insist on a Warhammer 40k army, go for Necrons or Tau.

Go to www.brikwars.com it's for people who still have thier childhood LEGOs, like me. But if you insist on a Warhammer 40k army, go for Necrons or Tau.
or have a look here
http://uk.games-workshop.com/40kuniverse/warhammer40k/tyranids/tyranids.htm

I'm a seven year veteran of warhammer. I've pllayed every game they have ever made, and have upwards of three armies for each game. If you would like more advice, head over to www.bootae.ibforums.com.

The people there are always willing to help, or you could send me a telegram if you want to talk further.

Eldar for the win. Fast as hell with fun little tricks up their sleeve.

Tau are halarious (but smushed in melee) The best armies in my area is the Dark Eldar army my friend plays and the insidious Tyranid swarm some guy plays at the local game pit.

The updated Dark Eldar codex broke them so much: Wyches and their god damned combat drugs own house in melee fighting. Gives howling banshees a run for their money.

All this talk of Warhammer 40K is boring me...
You should get The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game! A much better version.
By the sounds of it, your 40K units are very limiting, LOTR has no such problem. Of course, you can really only be good or evil, but within these groups are many different armies.

Easy to paint, each soldier can perform a range of attacks etc.
And apparently you guys have one side do all its move, shoot and attach phases first...that sounds odd. LOTR has a much better system. Both sides move, shoot and atack together.

I think everyone should try it!

Your neck, sir, needs to get intimate with a bungie cord.

Weeeeellllll, from my now dim recollection, I had an Eldar army and tended to kick arse. Flexible tactics just means not particulary good at any one thing. With Eldar, granted, you have to play to their strengths but if you do you can defeat most armies. Just strike quickly and withdraw until you wear them down. Plus the Avatar (if they still have that character) is a damn deadly weapon.


My God, I am a geek. Damnit, I need beer and sex now to revert to my mainstream masculinity.

Oh geez...its started, has it? the GW talk?

Well, I'm a 8 year vet of Warhammer--I play Marines, Gaurd for 40K; Empire, Chaos and High Elves for Fantasy.

I'd advise trying to look at each of the army lists..but get a good understanding of the rules first. its a little more time consuming, but that way you'll be able to know which army stuits your style of play the best--at least, as far as your understanding of the rules is concerned.

Aside from the Space Marines and the Imperial Guard, which army is closest to the Empire from Warhammer Fantasy?
I used to play as the Empire and now play as the Imperial Guard. I find them to be very similar to each other. The both have the stay back and shoot method and rely on artillery.

Dark Eldar. Because they have attitude. ;-)

Marines aren't that boring

I'm having a lot of trouble with my Marine army because I'm deliberately specializing. The new Trait system (while not as good as the Regimental Doctrines in the Guard list) adds a lot of individuality to otherwise stale armies.

Personally, I'm still trying to make my Scout platoon work, backed up by Mechanized veterans and Land Speeders. I know it's possible, I just gotta get the right flow and grouping of units.

And as for LotR, it's not flexible enough. Sorry. Different variants of humans just isn't enough for me. (Yes, I know it's not just humans, hush)

Besides. Clearly, the best army - for any game whatsoever - is the Space Marine Movie List, WD 300. Sure, it ain't legal, but you can just see the cinematic moments coming to life. The Terminator's got nothing on one of these Marines.

Now, it's a while ago - so I don't know how much similarity the modern army lists have - but the very best army USED TO BE Marines.

They had a decent amount of armour, a decent amount of firepower, sufficient variations with regards to squad types and vehicles...

Like I say, maybe that was the old days - maybe it's all changed since then.

I always played as Marines because I liked the concept - the Imperium was very certainly an 'underdog' in 40k - they were outnumbered and outgunned by very nearly everyone else.

The best tactics for Marines are the sort of tactics that can work for any army.

Pick on 'standard bearer' unit - i.e. a Unit that LOOKS tough, and has good armour (Terminators were always good for this). Give that unit very special attention, a great paint scheme, and customise them. That will be your sacrificial unit, which will take huge amounts of enemy fire - so place them where you WANT to draw attention, preferably in a little bit of cover, and advance them steadily on the enemy.

Pick some good 'support fire'. Heavy Weapons Marines were always a good choice - I seem to remember Space Wolves had a whole section devoted to Heavy Weapons. It's worth spending on heavy weapons that hit hard, or that fire a lot... the best weapons USED TO BE the Las-Cannon (huge save modifier) and the Heavy Bolter (sheer firepower). A couple of units of Heavy Weapons are a good investment, but remember, they should ALWAYS be in cover if possible - draw enemies into their fire.

If you have access to Bikes, Jetbikes or Jump-pack equipped Marines, they are a good investment in terms of being able to 'take it to the enemy'. That is important if your opponent constructs a good attack, especially if they are making good use of cover. Your 'speed units' will be used to smash advancing columns. My favourite 'old school' speed unit was Jump-pack equipped Marines, with Power-Fists - expensive, but able to inflict lots of damage, really quickly.

Always make use of cover, if available. The only exception is if you WANT to get shot - for example, letting a squad of Marines get riddled with light weapon-fire to pull a mob of orks out of cover.

Vehicles are almost never worth the cost, unless your enemy is only lightly armed. Putting a group of Marines in a transport is basically just pre-packing them for easy kills. If you WANT to use vehicles, use them on flanks and use them MAINLY to distract your opponent. If you DO put troops in them, get where you need to be, and unload as quickly as you can - then the vehicle beomes less of a liability, and can actually be used to cover a troop advance.


Of course - they change the rules so often... none of this might even be relevent anymore... :(

It's been a couple of years since I played, so new rules may have changed things a bit, but this is what I found after playing through editions 1,2 and 3.

In a 1500 pt game (typical tournie points) Marines are a good solid choice. Plenty of firepower and the best armor, but not particularly mobile (alot of move or fire weapons). Blood Angels are the exception, and if you like HtH combat, they are an excellent choice (as far as Marines go).

Chaos is like Marines, but with alot more flexibility. Hordes of cheap demons provide the cannon fodder Space Marines lack. However, they're weapons are ancient so they lack the "modern" Marine firepower. They also don't have the same morale as Marines. But there's nothing quite like wading through a horde of Orks with a Bloodthirster and a Chaos Lord. Chaos is better in HtH than Space Marines (IMO).

Eldar are fast, have the best psychics, good armor, high-power weapons, but they squish easy. If you enjoy hit and run combat, Eldar are a good choice. Somewhat complicated for new players though.

Orks are the most fun. Also the most difficult for new players. You also have to paint a whole lot more miniatures. But there's alot to be said for plopping down 70 to 80 troops, plus vehicles, while your opponent only puts down 30 or 40.

The rest I haven't used, but i've seen Dark Eldar be effective when used right, and Tyranids are devastating most of the time. There are some scenarios Tyranids are almost impossible to beat. Imperial Guard Tank Squadrons are very tough against most armies, but a well-outfitted Marine or Eldar army will slice them to pieces.

Now I'm playing the Dawn of War (40k RTS computer game). It's a different learning curv, that's for sure.

What are some good websites to start learning about armys and also to see some units and prices?

Well...

I'm planning on starting a Warhammer 40k army. I'd like one where I can use a great variety of tactics; Orks, for example, are too limiting, because with them all you can damn well do is charge the opponent while screaming WAAARGH!!! So, can anyone give me any advice?

I know nothing about it, but if I ever tried to play I'd pick one of the alien races since some of those are pretty trippy.

What are some good websites to start learning about armys and also to see some units and prices?

The official website.
At least, that seems to be a good reference...
I've never looked at any other websites about it.

As mentioned the Eldar are an army that is strong on Tactics, you have to get everything in it's correct place. Howling Banshees own quick rapid close combat, but get owned in long drawn out Fire Fights/Combats. They are your elite killers as an example. The trick with Eldar then is to use them well, to do this takes time and practice, but once you have it mastered it's a hard army to beat.

It's an army of specialists you see, Aspect Warriors master their style of Combat, and you have many different tuypes, need to take care of that Tank, thats what Fire-Dragons are for. Need to kill a lightly protected infantry regiment send in the Warp Spiders. The enemy General over extended himself and is exposed PUNISH him send in the Banshees.

Expect a long drawn out slog fest in the middle, send in the Striking Scorpions. It's an army where you need to truely understand it's core, and the use of everysingle unit in your army. It's fun but it's tricky.

Imperial Guard large regiments and armor, again likely tactics exist here but I never played as them.

Marines are flexiable, every Marine can do multiple jobs, but everyone and their Dog plays Marines which is why they are seen as boring, they obviously arn't, but when you find the largest percentage of plauers have Marines they become common-place and well, it gets a little dull if your fighting another Marine army.

In the end through all the armies have their tactical side, so what is likely better is to have a skip through a Stores Codex's tell the staff your thinking of starting an army and want to get a feel of the various options to see what best suits you. Even better if it is a GW store, describe to them the type of army you would like to collect and they should I hope give you at least a short list. (Just make sure you do get a Staff Member and not a Customer, we/they can have strong opinions that may not match what you are looking for) Lastly be prepared for the horrendous expense. GW accepts your Soul, welcome to the addiction.

Play Emperors Children, the most versatile army in WH40k, so much in fact that it is being called the "Cheese" army. Under the new rules, EC have become much better. In fact, the old "rhino rush" ideology that died with the new rules makes an all noise weapon EC army much more exciting. Why, you ask, should you play as a pink and black colored army?

1: Best wargear in the game. Want a close combat lord? Load up with combat drugs, lash of torment, bolt pistol, and doom siren, and watch your opponents die.

2: Most versatile units in the game. Want good close combat? Bolt pistols and chain swords. Want massive firepower? Sonic Blasters and Blast Masters. Want both? Mix and match.

3: Cheapest daemons. At 15 points a pop, daemonettes may seem weak, but they have rending claws at strength 4. Pop a squad of twelve near your lord, charge him and his girls in, and laugh as you kill a lot of imperials.

4: Easy color scheme. Pink does not suite you? Go with another color that you like. Slaanesh is simply the God of decadence and perfection. As long as you like the color scheme (avoid red) then it is cool with slaanesh.

5: Cheap. Noise marines are 19 points a pop, yet are fearless and subtract 1 from your opponents iniative.

Now, if you still do not want to play as Emperors Children, well....I would advise Tau. High strength ranged weapons (Strength 5 AP 5) decent infantry (4+ saves and balistic skill of 3) the best ranged anti-tank weapon in the game (Strenth 10 AP 1 rail gun) and good elite choices (battlesuits) makes them a very, very good shooting army. Quite literally, they can blow apart most opponents before they reach their lines. However, they suck as close combat, so get some kroot to soak up your enemies close combat monsters. However, if you keep your fire lanes, they will simply blow away your enemies without so much as thinking about it.