Looking to start some armies. A few questions.

[The Imperial Fist]

So I have been looking into High Elves, The Empire and Vampires. I have never played Fantasy but I am a regular 40k player.
Empire and High Elves for me, my buddy is looking into Vampires.
1st. out of High Elves and Empire what is more effective the Tank or the Dragon.
2nd. I think the core units for the Empire are awesome, are state troopers and Handgunners a must? or can I use just one or the other. Also, are the Knights watered down because they are core units?
3rd. Princes of Caledor and Silver Helms are what I want, but how many could I put in a 2k army and should Knights of any kind be the bulk of my army?
4th. Would the Phoenix Guard beat the Great Swords?
5th. Is magic a must?
6th. do the Vampire legions and zombies and what not get any kind of special rules like Necrons in 40k?

[The Imperial Fist]

Now keep in mind people, I have yet to see any of the codex's or the rule book, so I know nothing about how this game is played or what I need to be looking for. All help is appriciated.

[The Imperial Fist]

So I don't know what the points would look like, but here is a list of what I am going for with High Elves.

High Elf Lord on a Dragon. Not sure what the hook ups are. but it looks dope.

A High Elf Mage. There are a lot of options here. Mount him up? Run him on a Phoenix base? Annulian Crystal and put him with the guards?

1 x 10 Lothern Sea Guard

1 x 10 Lothern Sea Guard

1 x 16 Archers

1x 10 White Lions of Chrace

1 x 8 Silver Helms

1 x 5 High Elf Princes of Caledor

What do you guys think? Should I add another unit of Lions or add in Phoenix Guard or Sword masters?

[The Imperial Fist]

My Empire list looks like this so far.

Not sure what Hero's to use. The Templars look really tight but I wouldn't begin to know what Order to use. The General Mounted running around with my Outriders or Knights sounds like a plan though. Also am I wrong or is Magic a must and do I need a wizard?


1 x 10 Handgunners/Crossbows

1 x 10 State Troopers

1 x 10 State Troopers

1 x 8 Knights of the Order

1 x 10 Great Swords

1 x 5 Outriders

1 x Empire Steam Tank

1 x Helblaster Volly Gun

[BrokenWing]

Some core principles to always keep in mind for Fantasy:

20 guys is the minimum you should be taking for almost any foot based close combat unit, anything less and you won't even be a speed bump.

Honestly I'd say the Dragon is better than the steam tank because it has huge mobility, although the roles of the two units are totally different.

Phoenix Guard equipped properly would probably slaughter Great Swords.

Magic to at least some degree is a must unless you're playing team games. It doesn't need to be much though.

As for number of knights you can take....there's a force percentage system you really need to read in the rulebook that will answer that fore you. But generally, you can take quite a few, depending on their points costs.

[The Imperial Fist]

Thanks BW. I do need to pick up the rule book. But ya, I was thinking they would be better of in larger units but I don't know the organization for the units or any of that yet. But I am VERY interested in making the jump from 40k to fantasy.
I was looking at White Lions over Phoenix guard but when I look at most army lists the Phoenix Guard are in there.

[BrokenWing]

I play both games. The rulebook would help you with alot of what you're wondering. White Lions are a legitimately good unit but Phoenix Guard are pretty awesome, especially for a foot based army. Also High Elf swordsmen (the name of which I suddenly forget but they have great weapons) are amazing because they're great weapons with always strikes first.

[herplover]

As for number of knights you can take....there's a force percentage system you really need to read in the rulebook that will answer that fore you

They got rid of the percentage thing so if knights are a troop choice you can take how ever many you want unless i missed it in the new edition rules.

[Architech]

Current edition rules

Of total points
>50% core
<25% Lords
<25% Heroes
<50% Special
<25% Rare

Anything different would be specifically noted in your army book for some sort of unit uniqueness or type special limits

[herplover]

Current edition rules

Of total points
>50% core
<25% Lords
<25% Heroes
<50% Special
<25% Rare

So army books are ignores as far as number of heroes,core, etc?Regardless if core is greater than 50% then an all knight army is legal since knights are a troop choice for empire unless im mistaken here as well

[Architech]

So army books are ignores as far as number of heroes,core, etc?

I honestly have no idea what this meant? Ignored i presume? You mean previous editions that still have the 2000 points allows X number of Heroes/Lords etc? If so, then yes that no longer matters

If the unit in question is a core unit, then the entire army can be that unit. The term 'troop' has no real relevance...unless you are simply substituting it for 'core'

[herplover]

Yes meant core so therefor with empire atleast as well as bretonia it is possible to field all knight armies

[Snipo101]

As long as it's core, you can have as many of it as you want, so yes it is possible... But you have to have at least 3 units total, meet all the percentage requirements, and have a lord or hero for a general.

>50% core
<25% Lords
<25% Heroes
<50% Special
<25% Rare

It's actually >25% core.

[Architech]

yep it is, was going fast and slipped I guess