"How to Play 40K: Choosing the Right Army" Topic

"Now that I've covered the overview of the game of 40K it's time to dive into choosing an army. Choosing the right army is quite obviously the most critical choice you're going to make. You'll be spending money on the army, time building and painting it, and of course time playing with the army. Choosing the wrong army for yourself could not only cost you time and money but also your enjoyment of the game.

Where to Start with Choosing an Army
At the time of writing this, Warhammer 40K has 23 armies to choose from. That's just the core armies and doesn't include things like supplements or Imperial Armor. To someone looking at 40K for the first time that can be an overwhelming amount of choices. When I got into the game in 2006 there were around 14 choices. Still a lot but a far more manageable amount to look through. I know if I were getting into it now and saw that list of armies, I wouldn't know where to begin. Hopefully I can guide you a bit…"
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Amicalement
Armand

The only winning move is not to play.

I am with Elmo.
23 armies?
23+1 books to have all the rules.
24*$50…. just to have all the rules.

($50, is used as a current average. And I consider special rules that allow the armies to do things that they arent allowed to do, to be rules)

You hardly have to buy every army book to play the game, just the one(s) for the armies you collect. I only have the codicies for my armies, and seem to get along just fine…

Damon.

If I play a game, I expect to know all the rules that I and my opponents play by. Its really that simple. So yes, all the books if I play 40K. I have three 40K armies in the attic. Along with all the codexs released at the time when I used to collect these miniatures and play this game.

meledward23……..yes indeed….

I don't know, I have played quite a few 40K games without needing to know anything about Tau or Chaos.

Usually before a game, as a courtesy, I go over my list and summarize any special rules the unit has, and usually my opponent does the same.

Damon.

zero need to buy all the army books.

"Usually before a game, as a courtesy, I go over my list and summarize any special rules the unit has, and usually my opponent does the same.

Damon."

I used to be okay with that. Then I realized more than half the people that play these games never bother reading their rules, fully understanding them, or can summarize them correctly. Not saying anything about you or yours.

You can play the game however you want. Me I won't play a game unless I have all the applicable rules in my hands. Physically. Thats my choice, as nutty as some may find it.

To each his own of course.

Just as important as choosing the right army in playing WH40K is choosing the "right people" to play. I often find that unscrupulous opponents will take advantage if you lack familiarity with their armies' special rules and abilities.

Many of these players also use min-max army lists and as such are no fun to play against anyway.

Agree with the Fanatik – 40K seems to attract rules lawyers like fruit attracts flies; I play with a few guys who play it 'cause they think it is fun, not to dicker over rules

Armies? Two space marine chapters, more Imperial Guard than I can count, about the same number of Tau and an Ork army to beat up on

As usual, the Black Templars are ignored.

Ah, Warhammer £40,000.00 GBP I miss it a bit (having played Rogue Trader back in the 80's), but not enough to get caught up in the perpetual arms race that it has become.

I avoid all the special rule/ codex muss and fuss by playing second ed with only the forces book in the box set and one page of no nonsense house rule/rules mods.
Newer races are very easy to add to the game as long as you remember your opponent is there to have fun also :)
Second ed is actually a very fun and lively game without any major overhaul. No GW named characters, no created character over 200 pts with no more then 100 pts of wargear per character. If you can find a copy of Inquisitor Magazine issue 13 by Armourcast the vehicle/Titan construction rules are major fun also.
There is also Rogue Trader for some really old school fun. :D

The named-characters thing is something that annoys me, too. Why is it that Colonel Deathkill Skullsmasher is involved in every single skirmish on a thousand different worlds?

Named super characters like Commissar Yarrick and Ghazkul Mag Uruk Thracka not only sell miniatures for GW but also add to the "rich" background and stories of the 40K universe. Although I'm not really into the so-called "fluff" many gamers are and that's why Black Library 40K novels sell so well. Generic characters are fine but some people like their special characters handed to them on a silver platter I guess.

If you're truly afraid your opponent is either not knowledgable about their rules or that they'll take advantage/cheat, then why are you playing with them? The first guy you can get together with and learn, the second guy, don't play with.

Many of these players also use min-max army lists and as such are no fun to play against anyway.

So very true, but the is GW's fault.

As for me I do believe in the Max'ing part like running nearly 190 models in my 2000 point Imperial Guard army.

Oh and lots of firepower as well.

Only suckers still pay GW to play their ty game.

I agree with many here … the best way to play 40K is to not getting involved at all. But always do what works for you … not me …

We started out with two squads and one or two vehicles each; about 400 points. Those were fun games. We've added a unit or two per month, based on painting speed and what we could find on ebay and at conventions. Half the fun was going to the flea markets and scoring sizable finds. 20 orks for $9 USD is my record so far. I give all my characters a name since we are doing a narrative campaign. We may use the characters from the rules, or just the stats and the figs and come up with a new name. It adds to the fun for a campaign game.