Once upon a time there was a teenager named Phil. Phil played Orks. In fact, Phil had collected Orks since he started the hobby aged 11 and had amassed a terrifying Ork horde which could completely blanket his parents' living room carpet.
I met up with Phil again aged 23 and asked about his Orks."They're up in the loft, haven't had them out since the new Codex."
"I bet you had to buy a load of stuff for the new Codex?"
"Couple of Dethkoptas."
"What about Battlewagons, Nob bikers, Lootas?"
"I've got loads of them already. Oh, I did by the new Shokk Attak gun though. It looks really cool."
And that was it! He bought 15 Dethkoptas (for about £5 each on eBay) and a Big Mek with a Shokk Attak Gun. Then he asked if I fancied playing an Apocalypse game. Shamefully, I had to decline, telling him that I only had about 2,000 points of Tau at the time.
I know this is an extreme example, but it clearly shows the benefit of choosing Warhammer 40K army and sticking with it. Phil didn't need to buy anything when the new codex came out because he'd invested in an army to the exclusion of all others.
So when I'm talking about choosing an army, I don't mean a small tournament sized force designed for pwning noobs, I mean that you take the army Codex and gradually collect everything in it.
Now that's a big commitment and even I'm a little frightened by it!
But it isn't the building, painting and playing that worries me, it's not being able to have a go with all the other armies in Warhammer 40K and I think that 'Codex envy' and the 'cool factor' is a big problem that so many 40K players suffer from.
Resist!
Some model kits genuinely blow your socks off. The Tyranid Tyrgon, the Ork Stompa or the Imperial Guard Valkyrie are a few jaw dropping examples that conjure up all sorts of awesome imagery.
I'd like an Imperial Guard Valkyrie army. I'd like an Ork Battlewagon army. I'd like a Salamanders Space Marines army with Land Raider Redeemers transporting thunder hammer and storm shield Terminators led by Vulkan Hestan. The list goes on...
But none of us have the time or money for all of that, so we're often restricted to playing one or perhaps a couple of armies at a time.
Bad Habits
Unfortunately, with so many great army Codex books constantly being released, it's far too easy to give into temptation. Many players, like myself fall foul of rules changes either in the game itself or the release of new Codex books and fall into an evil circle of selling an old army 1500 points tournament to fund a new 1500 points tournament army. Although some people who only play tournaments actually prefer this and acquire a new army every year.
How to Choose a Warhammer 40K Army
Actually choosing a 40K army comes down to three things: winning games, painting models and army background. You need to be able to tick all three boxes before you should begin to part with your hard earned cash.1: Winning Games
Winning isn't everything, but it's no fun getting stomped on. You need to find an army that suits your playing style or at the very least your idea of warfare.
2: Background
If you're playing your army purely to win and aren't inspired by its background, then the gaming experience is going to become boring when you're not continually winning. If you're swept up in the character of your force, you’re telling a story and enjoying the game whether you’re having a close fought battle, a glorious massacre or making a desperate last stand.
3: Painting
Everyone has their limits when it comes to painting. Whether it’s struggling to paint a complicated scheme to a standard that you are happy with or if you just feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of miniatures you need to paint to produce a decent force. So try not to bite off more than you can chew, and if you have a lot to paint, stick to your standards and do a little at a time.
Why I Chose Space Wolves as My Warhammer 40K ArmyIf this were a forum, now would be the time for everyone to shout that you should choose the army that they play and how awesome it is.
Well, I'm not going to do that. I'm going to tell you that I essentially chose to play a Space Marine army, because that's what Space Wolves are. They're Space Marines with some special rules and unique units.
On the whole Space Marine armies are versatile, very forgiving to play, easy to paint, easy to convert and have a great history. I chose a Space Wolf army because it's easy.
I know that I'm never going to win any tournaments simply because I don't play the game enough and the Dice Gods hate me. So I felt that choosing a forgiving army that's easy to pick up and play would be a good idea.
Having played a Tau army with a very difficult paint scheme for 2 years made me realise that I needed something easy to paint, more forgiving to play and an army with a longer history in the Warhammer 40K universe. It was incredibly frustrating being invited to campaign weekends set in the Imperium's history when the Tau hadn't even been discovered yet!
By comparison, playing a Space Marine army is a walk in the park. Although sometimes I wish I'd chosen Orks for the added humour.
So for me, the plan is to keep building my Space Wolves army ad infinitum in the same way my regular opponent James has been building his Dark Angels army for the past few years. He's got everything at his disposal. It doesn't matter what size game you play, he can produce a good, well rounded army and some very characterful themed armies as well.
Of course, James is looking forward to the next Dark Angels Codex when it comes out, because apart from any new units, he's got everything already. Expanding his existing army is relatively affordable and effortless.
Armies to AvoidTau, Necrons, Dark Eldar, Daemons and anything whacky like 13th Company or Lost & The Damned. Seriously though, the newer races in Warhammer 40K simply don't hold their weight in the long term.
Warhammer 40K was built on melta guns, plasma guns, lascannons and powerfists. Many of the newer armies have been designed around Troops armed with basic guns and very few weapon options.
With all of the 'original armies' like Orks, Space Marines, Chaos Marines, Eldar and Imperial Guard having the staple weapons that the game is built around, the more recent armies pale in comparison. (Although Tyranids have always been a strong army.)
Of course, this could all change if any of them receive a major revamp -and we all know that they really need it!
As for Chaos Daemons, they are a strong army at present, but having been designed entirely around the 5th edition rules set, a change in the rules could cripple them in one fell swoop.
The safest armies are the classic armies like Space Marines, Orks, Eldar, Chaos or Imperial Guard. They've been in the game since the start and they've comfortably survived every edition and every new Codex. Okay, the Imperial Guard used to die in droves, but they're pretty good now.
They're all versatile armies with a lot of units and a lot of tactical choice and form the core of the Warhammer 40K game. Now begs the question whether Games Workshop made a mistake in 3rd edition with the release of the new Necrons, Dark Eldar and Tau armies? But that remains to be seen.
As for our new gaming group recruit: He's doing his best to make his Dark Eldar army work as best as it can, but until the army gets a new Codex, he's contemplating an Imperial Guard army.
Even so, he's making the most of playing his Dark Eldar, which you can read all about in my first Space Wolves battle report this weekend!
14 comments:
February 24, 2010 at 11:12 AM
You have some really good points. I would also recommend people starting with a more traditional force - Space Marines (of any flavor) are probably the best option sinc ether are so many codex options and they get such good support. IG is also a good choice but can really be a daunting task to collect and paint.
Steering away from the old armies for new players is also a good idea. Get into the game before making that leap.
February 24, 2010 at 11:35 AM
"Tau, Necrons, Dark Eldar, Daemons and anything whacky like 13th Company or Lost & The Damned. Seriously though, the newer races in Warhammer 40K simply don't hold their weight in the long term."
This is an unfortunate comment. People should play the races they want to play. I started playing Necrons back in 3rd edition, and I still enjoy playing Necrons in 5th edition. Do they win as often? No. Do I care? Not really.
People should like an army because it fits their "inner wargamer". I liked Necrons because I liked the idea of an army of implacable soulless deathdealers plodding relentlessly into the face of the enemy and cutting them down with Gauss Guns. I love Orks because they are in my mind to the Imperium what the Celtic and Germanic tribes were to the Romans, and when it comes to Barbarians vs. Romans, I vote for the Barbarians. I'm working on Space Wolves now because I've always dug the "barbarians in power armor" feel, their ballsy, no-BS attitude, and the distinct lack of the usual pseudo-Churchly attitudes many other Imperium forces have. Some day I also hope to collect a small Crimson Fists force, because I really like their story and the thought of a small, defiant chapter punching above it's weight appeals to me.
None of that has anything to do with melta-spam, or plasma guns, or lascannons, or powerfists. It has to do with really loving the army you play and getting excited, whatever the outcome may be, whenever you get a chance to put them on the tabletop.
February 24, 2010 at 11:42 AM
Yeah! You got for it :)
Yes, people should play the races that they want to play. I'm simply offering a bit of advice.
I loved my Tau army. I'll go back to the Tau once my Space Wolves are done.
I just loved the whole idea of robots and having to win games purely on the tactical application of firepower.
February 24, 2010 at 11:52 AM
I'm not saying people shouldn't want to win games, but It's also a matter of perspective. Do you like conversions? Orks are great for that. Do you like an army that can be almost all plastic minis? Tau are great for that. Do you like an army with a highly organized structure? Codex-adhering SMs work great for that. Do you want a wild army that'll look pretty badass on the table? Chaos works great for that.
I wouldn't want people to pick an army that they're always going to lose with, but I have always found that an army you know well and really love can be played better than some army you dig because some forum or blog told you it's great for drop-podding melta-spam lists, but you're "Meh" on it and aren't really interested in putting effort into learning the intricacies of play.
Which (if I may segue for a moment) is a big problem with relying to much on the Net for your 40K advice, and too little on trusting yourself to develop a play style that suits you. I've seen lots of people debate "builds" and give advice, but a build that suits one person isn't going to suit all people. For example, footslogger horde orks and kult of speed orks are both viable lists when used properly, but not every player is going to be equally proficient with those lists.
Which is why I feel a little "internet armchair general-ing" is fine, but too much leads to people playing a way they have been told to play, rather than the way they want to play or can play to their own best advantage.
Here endeth the soapboxing.
February 24, 2010 at 2:45 PM
Bha, don't listen to haters Adam. :)
I agree with your idea of picking one army and sticking to it that fits your playing style.
Although there is always cool to have something one the side. ;)
Anyway, Dark Eldars are not dead. Yes they haven't gotten a new codex but the old one works just fine, although it is perhaps a bit narrowended.
- Niiai
February 24, 2010 at 2:49 PM
I completely agree with you. What works for one player may not work for another.
When I was at the Grand Tournament with my Tau I played some amazing games against people who loved their army and knew their army inside out.
I think that there will always be a divide between well played armies and pure cheese lists.
I agree with your opinions about spammy lists posted on the internet. This is why I've always posted battle reports with photos and only trusted others who post battle reports with photos. What looks good on paper doesn't always perform well on the tabletop.
February 24, 2010 at 3:03 PM
Dark Eldar isn't dead. Their Codex is just falling apart.
I had a pretty good game against them, which you can read about on Friday. But we both played like complete noobs, so the rematch should be interesting.
February 24, 2010 at 3:09 PM
What about us Sisters players? The Witch Hunters Codex is ridiculously outdated, with expensive and weak units. Case in point are the Sisters Repentia. They sound good on paper, but a full squad of 20 costs about 400 points, and usually are less-than-half strength before they even reach the enemy because of their lack of transport capability.
I love the Sisters of Battle regardless, but until they get a new Codex, they're relegated to 2nd choice behind my Word Bearers.
February 24, 2010 at 3:24 PM
What about you Sisters of Battle players? This was meant to point people looking for a new army towards something that works, not to slag off all the armies that need a new Codex. lol.
I think Sisters aren't so bad. They work in the same way that Dark Eldar do right now.
If GW made them plastic, I'm sure they'd sell.
Ultimately the mainstream armies are the ones which sell the best for GW and so they will always receive the most attention, making them the safest choices.
February 24, 2010 at 4:54 PM
Necrons aren't that bad either. they just suffer from people who think they can pick them up and expect to win. They were army when i first started 2 years ago, and i was like that.
Then i chose Space Wolves, but i realised i was playing them like 'crons so i went back to them. Now my friend who always switches armies (he has 4 or so) can't keep up with my force of soulless metal.
Maybe someday i'll find a space wolves tactic that appeals to me, until then they're only used in small games.
February 24, 2010 at 6:51 PM
It's a catch-22, unfortunately. Older codexes do not get played because they're outdated, therefor they do not sell. No sales means no incentive to update the codex.
If anything, people should be encouraged to try out the different armies, especially the new races.
February 24, 2010 at 11:03 PM
lots of good points in this post. and any army can be anything you want it to be with enough effort. while it's certainly easier to pick up and play on of the original armies, i have been totally stomped by all the newer ones, including dark eldar and sisters, just because their players were very good. and space wolves can be insanely funny, whenever i play a game with someone i always place a bet of a useless bit from my army for one from theirs. if i win i incorporate it into a conversion on one of my models. right now i have a necron head cod piece, with complimentary pelvic thrusting grey hunter in the stereotypical "suck it" position. i have a wolf guard terminator picking bits of a squished grot of the bottom of his shoe like gum. and i have a wulfen unit totally covered in purple blood tearing a gaunt in half with his bare hands. and i have a bunch more that i need to get around to. segue aside, all the armies have their intricacies and they all have good reasons to pick them as a main army. it all boils down to your playstyle.
cheers
and good luck to you new players out there looking for a good army.
February 24, 2010 at 11:29 PM
Necrons are my first 40K love, but I finally gave in to my envy of Orks and Space Wolves. Build an army around powerful converted models? Yes please!
September 10, 2011 at 8:17 AM
I started collecting Orks when I was about 11, they were my first army, and the idea of a load of mad men running around blowing stuff up appealed to me. I started a Space Wolves army and Grey Knights army since joining a school club where we do 500pt battles. The Grey Knights are just a bit of fun on the side, but the Space Whave become my main conversion project. I always use Orks when I play 1,000pt+ battles though.
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