Starting Warhammer 40K

[Brad387]

Okay, so I've made a few threads already. However, with no offense intended towards people who actually know what they're doing, I've became a little lost with people's advice. So, if you're a forum moderator, feel free to delete any of my other threads. It would make my life easier in fact.

I've always liked the look of the Warhammer 40K hobby, but have been extremely reluctant to fork over the money required to get started. Having first discovered it three years ago, I have always liked the looks of Space Wolves and I even have their codex. Anyway, the reason I have decided I would like to start 40K is because literally all of my friends have begun to play the game. There is even an after-school club, so I think that finding people to play with would be about as difficult as using a toaster.

Unfortunately, I am on an extremely limited budget. My parents are struggling to get work as their employers are going out of business, so asking them for funding would just be downright selfish when they can barely manage to keep me fed at the more difficult times of the year. If you have any suggestions on how a 14 year old teenage guy can earn some cash, I'd appreciate to hear them.

The club requires a 600 point army and I desperately need your advice on what to include, as you can probably tell from my past threads that my own attempts to come up with a list have been pretty poor. At the club, one of my friends plays as Space Marines (Salamanders to be precise). Last time I played him, which was admittedly around two years ago, he had a Drop Pod in his arsenal and I'm almost certain he has a rhino as well along with a dreadnought in his army. My other friend plays as Dark Eldar, but I have no idea as to his specific unit choices. When forming the list, please take into account all of the information above plus the fact I have a limited budget and want to get the army up quickly as possible.

I'd also like some tips on how to paint my Space Wolves once I get them. I brought a box of three Space Marines around three years ago just to paint them and practice crafting them. My friend borrowed me some Space Wolves Grey and, whilst the color seems nice, I'm not entirely sure that it fits the wolf theme. Perhaps a grey, as with the marine here would look good. Either way, I'd love to hear your suggestions.

I don't have any equipment to play or make the models either, so if someone could compile a list of what I shall require minus the codex I already own I'd appreciate that very much. If possible, include links and/or costs to all products you mention. Thanks.

EDIT: Would the battleforce for £60 and then a Rune Priest roughly equate to 600 points? Just, as far as I can tell, that works out cheapest for getting a decent sized army. With that I'll get 2 x 10 Space Wolves Pack, 5 Scouts and a drop pod.

[PyroSikTh]

What's wrong with the lists already suggested to you?

If you're hell-bent on starting, buy a Rune Priest, 2 packs of Space Wolves, and 2 Razorbacks. You can build the Razorbacks in a way where you can swap them between Razorback and Rhino, which is ultimate utility. The Space Wolves you'll want to assemble as Grey Hunters with whatever weapons come in the box available to Grey Hunters. The Rune Priest is just a Rune Priest. Add up all the points together and drop a few models so you're under the point limit. Done. It doesn't have to be the best list as you're only starting out, and otherwise you'll get bogged down in buying all sorts of little extra bits. Don't worry about it, just get the 5 kits previously mentioned.

[Brad387]

What's wrong with the lists already suggested to you?

If you're hell-bent on starting, buy a Rune Priest, 2 packs of Space Wolves, and 2 Razorbacks. Build them up however you want them, add them all together, maybe drop a few models so you're in the point limit. Done. It doesn't have to be the best list as you're only starting out, and otherwise you'll get bogged down in buying all sorts of little extra bits. Don't worry about it, just get the 5 kits previously mentioned.

Okay, thanks. Well, the 2 packs feature ten units each which combined equals 300 points. The Rune Priest is 100 points too. So, how many points are razorbacks? Also, could someone please tell me what paint this is here? It looks like a nice color for Space Wolves.

[uthaze]

That looks like Codex or Fortress Grey. The Razorbacks points should be in your codex under their entry which should be linked as a dedicated transport for your troops. The 150 points for your troops are probably bare minimum.. so if you add things like plasma guns or power sword for the leaders then your points will be raised and you will then be able to run at the 600 requirement.

[Brad387]

Would the battleforce for £60 and then a Rune Priest roughly equate to 600 points? Just, as far as I can tell, that works out cheapest for getting a decent sized army. With that I'll get 2 x 10 Space Wolves Pack, 5 Scouts and a drop pod.

[birdman1811]

You have the codex I believe? Work it out.

If you need 600 points just add up how many points all that comes to with some wargear options and if it's 600 points or just below then that'll do you.

[Ann]

>If you have any suggestions on how a 14 year old teenage guy can earn some cash, I'd appreciate to hear them.

What I did from age 14 - 18 was I had a paper route, where I made enough money to fund my hobbies and buy my own clothes. (The deal I had with my mother is if she bought them then they had to be the tough-wearing, cheap clothes because like your family mine was on a budget but if I bought them myself I could have the stuff I wanted at the time. ) I also baby sat, though that might not work out so well for a guy, I don't know. I also did some yard work such as raking leaves, shoveling snow, and mowing for neighbors. Got a few "no's" when I asked but it wasn't too hard finding people who didn't want to do that work for themselves and once I showed them I was dependable and did a good job they were more than willing to have me keep coming back.

-- Ann

[Shining Finger]

You might want to cut down on video games and designers clothing that you love so much.

Not buying from GW store also helps cut down your spending, since they charge a lot for basic stuff like nippers, file, glue, paint brush, spray primer and SAND!!!!

[coi]

Find people in your area who are also into the hobby and you can all put in money for things you'll all use. Also bulk orders from places like Wayland games and Maelstrom (depending on your location) will save you money, if only on shipping. But avoid buying direct from GW. Local game stores will often have discounts on GW things that GW will never do.
Regarding the above, if everyone in your local club throws $5 into the pot you can buy a lot of things that everyone can use. Instead of spending $20 on a tub of sand individually, you can get a 20 kilo bag of fine builders sand (in Oz at least they're the same stuff) for around $45 and everyone can use it. Ebay is also your friend.
You'd be surprised what you can do easily on the cheap. Paper mache terrain, second hand models, bulk buys with friends, it all adds up. As well, take a portion of the budget you're spending on the games and clothes and put it towards warhammer. After the initial investment, you really don't have much you need to spend from then on. If you normally spend $100 a month on clothes and video games, cut it down by $10 or $20 and put that towards 40k.

[Rosco151]

Are you aware of the various alternate suppliers on the internet?

Sites like Gifts for Geeks sell GW product at a discount that's worth considering. You have to balance in that you get free delivery with GW orders over £10, but if you were to order everything you want (Priest, 2 x Grey Hunter Packs, 2 x Razorbacks, or Priest and Battleforce) you should still save something noticable.

I only order directly from GW if I receive vouchers as a gift, or if the discount and postal charges from a discount site do not balance out against ordering from GW and getting the free shipping.

As for your points queries, I know that when I started out in 40k again a couple of years ago with a Codex Marines force, my first 500 points went on a Captain, Tactical Squad with Razorback and Scout Sniper Squad. I would have thought that you could get yourself a good 600 point force out of either of the two options above.

Sit down with the Codex and figure out the points to clear your head on the matter. Also, if you're on a limited budget then make sure your force can be armed flexibly - this is easily achieved by leaving certain items unglued so they can be swapped out without needing a new model:

Razorbacks - Don't glue on the top hatch / turret mount - you can switch between Rhino / Razorback.
Squads - don't glue on special weapons (flamers / plasma guns / melta guns) - If you assemble the model so that the weapon is supported by both hands, you can just switch them out.

[Ann]

Or get your friends to give up their old sprues and This!

http://www.40kforums.com/vb/showthread.php/28282-Necron-Sprue-Army!?highlight=sprue+necrons

--- Ann

p.s. Not marines but they are almost free - need glue, a knife, cast-off sprues, base, and maybe some paint if you are ambitious - if you can get your friends to go for it.

[SourImplant]

Are you aware of the various alternate suppliers on the internet?

Well, we do have a whole thread dedicated to the subject. Stickied, too.