"How many models in a typical 40K “army”?" Topic

… At least for decent, fun gaming?

I realize it may vary by army race or faction. And of course there's variety based on infantry, vehicles, characters and the like. (Which is gleaned information— I have no experience with 40K, just an old Space Hulk set from ‘98 and 40 "termegants" (and 2 SM Lt.s) from two clearanced starter sets I got at Target.)

But what's "enough" and what's "the sweet spot" for you? (Or conversely what's a "headache"?)

I like Combat Patrol and Incursion (1000 pts) size games so like half the tournament size so it's 24 marines and 3 vehicles

My Tyranid swarm is 56

It depends on edition (1st-5th tended to be smaller armies because of points costs) and whether or not you are doing a "horde" army. And also what points level the "battle" is.

!000 Pts- 30ish tough elite models (Space marines Chaos Space marines etc.).
50ish+ horde type (Tyranids, Imperial guard, Orks etc.)
2000 Pts.- 50ish tough types, 70ish+ Horde types.

Both types and battle sizes assume some vehicles/big monsters etc. but not comprising all big vehicles/monsters.
Knights are a different case altogether…

Just my .02 from playing 40K since 1989.

I've played against tournament 2000 point armies with over 120 models (Imperial Guard with large conscript platoons). I've fielded 2000 point tournament armies with under 20 models (Tyrannid 'fex/tyrant spam).

In practice Moonbeast is mostly on the money.
60-ish for a 2000 point army is probably about right, plus or minus about 15-20, depending on the relative level of elite-ness of the army, number of vehicles/monsters vs infantry, etc.
Adjust for points level accordingly.

That said, I think 40k probably plays best in that 1000-1500 point range. Much less and you don't enough enough units to actually have any tactical flexibility. Much more and the fairly bloated core GW gaming system with so many hit/wound/save/ward/special save rolls for every single combat action tends to drag on. Then pile on all the weapons with randomized shots or randomized strengths or armor modifiers… you can roll a _lot_ of dice resolving one squad worth of shooting or melee. Not to mention just physically moving that many models in a game where you rarely want to use something like squad movement trays.