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I would like to start an Imperial Guard army. I am leaning towards Cadians. I did not know the best approach to starting the army like whether buying the Cadian battleforce set and adding some items to it or if there was a better idea. I think at first I would like to be in the 500-1000 point area so I could paint it up and try some small games to get to understand how they play. But I thought with IG I could go with a mechanized force, an infantry-mechanized force or a mostly infantry force. So if any of you IG players have a good idea where I can start and what I should be looking at to buy that would be greatly appreciated!

Buy used, from someone with a high rating!

Or buy on FeeBay.

Or Craigslist.

If you like the looks of the death corps, Wargames Factory has a new box set of greatcoat shock troopers. 18 models for just under $20. Of course, you cant use them in official GW events though.
Here or e-bay are your best bet if you dont mind cleaning off someone elses paint. If you want new on sprue or in box, thewarstore is a good bet. Most of the nos or nib stuff I have seen here cost as much as from GW itself or more counting shipping. Course, you can get some good deals here too if your lucky.

To start with pick up the following:

1x battleforce (call the squads vets)- $95
3x chimeras- -$105
1x leman russ (demolisher imho is better)-$42
codex- $25

total to start with= $300 ish
chimera vet spam is one of the best builds you can do out of the IG codex and this builds twards it very well and you can gear anyway you really want after this and you can get it semi cheaper on here or on ebay.

or if you like valks start with 3 and the co and 2x squads or something but it will not work as well till you get to higher point levels

I would like to argue against the common wisdom shared so far.
Don't buy anything.

Let people you game with know that you're contemplating buying into IG. Build some armies you think you want to play, then proxy them with your other models.
Even if you're Tactical marines for EVERYTHING... Keep them easily marked (maybe a slip of paper next to each unit displaying BOLDLY what it represents). Anyone you're a regular with should be cool with putting up with a few games until you figure out what you like.
THEN, buy your models.


That is just IMO, of course.


Eric