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Okay, I haven't played WHFB or 40K for several years (last WHFB was 5th edition, last 40k was 3rd right after it came out). So I'm thinking about getting back into one or both and am just seeking advice.

For WHFB, I'm considering either Goblins, Dwarves, or Skaven. The first two just because I can buy an extra BFSP and get a decent sized force, but the Skaven because they are kind of appealing. What are the pros and cons, in your opinions, of these armies. Also, I think both Goblins (I'm trying to avoid orcs) and Dwarves have relatively new army books, is this correct? How old is the Skaven book? For background, I used to play Lizardmen, Chaos Mortals (primarily warriors and knights), Dark Elves, and Wood Elves.

For 40K, I'm considering vanilla Space Marines, Eldar, or kitbashing a human-sized rat imperial guard army (ie. using Skaven and IG models to make a force). I figure that last option is going to be the most expensive option I'm looking at. I used to play Tyranids in 2nd edition/start of 3rd edition, but I'm not really considering them. So again, what do you think the pros and cons are with these armies?

The first thing I tell anyone when asking about armies, or which army is best, or what should I play is simple

look at the armies you are considering, look at the models, does it look like you are going to enjoy posing or painting these models? For WHFB I cannot tell you the current play style of each army. I haven't played WHFB since like 4th. Like you Skaven have always intrested me, partially because there was no counterpart in 40k and all the fairly neat contraptions they got.

Most gaming stores have codexs or army books that you can look through. it might be in your best intrest to go and look at the unit types and see how each fight. If i remember right, skaven used to be a horde style army due to thier low morale. Then again I cannot expect goblins to be much better.

As for 40k, just about everyone has marines. You can paint them any color you want, currently use several "special" skills as vanilla (chapter divergence) and are the baseline for just about every skirmish. On the bad side most people gear themselves to take out marines whenever at a tourny. Eldar I would recommend playing if you like to paint things nicely. the smooth and flowing lines on alot of the figures can be really a sight to look at if done nicely. Eldar got alot simpler as they evolved through the editions, but so far they really haven't lost much in the way of ability, you just have to remember on thing. The best way I can describe eldar fighting style is your hand; you can loose a finger, or two, and still use your hand, just at a loss of ability. But loose your thumb and your damn near crippled. Your thumb is the unit or units that best fit your playing style.

then again that is simply my oppinion.

mrsshann is correct, eldar are harder to play than most armies. i recommend having read through the codex at least once on every army you want to pick up.

I play Gobos, and mainly, throw everything you got at em and hope for the best. that is gobos. the dont win often, but are easily the funest army to play that i have experienced. and the painting options are awesome.

Dwarfs. Solid, Hard and Beardy are my main thoughts there

Skaven: never played or faced em..... sorry man.

I don't play WHFB.

For 40K:

What do you WANT to do?

Do you want a small, elite force with great skills at everything, good shooting at all ranges, but a relatively limited amounts of heavy weapons?

Do you want a force that has a mid-range amount of heavy weapons, is SUPERFAST and fights in HtH with moderate success (usually striking first, but not typically striking HARD)?

Do you want a LOT of models that, sterotypically speaking, you try not to move too much? The army has access to a LOT of heavy weapons and, while their shooting ability is mediocre, they have a LOT of shots. This army tends to crumble swiftly in HtH.

Which appeals to you?
The first is Space Marines, the second is Eldar & the 3rd is IG.

You'll probably paint the least models with SM's & the MOST with IG.

In terms of COST to start... IG would be the most expensive (you'll probably want a lot of tanks) and Eldar would probably be second most expensive.


Eric

I don't play WHFB.

As far as 40K is concerned, just FYI, 4th Edition (it's current incarnation) will be dead by next year, as 5th Edition will be coming in the fall of 2008. Whether that's good or bad, IMO it's too early to tell. However, since Codex: Eldar came out all the new codices (and Apoc) have been written w/ the 5th Edition rules in mind.

Because of the above, I'd not consider doing an IG army as they will most likely be the first codices rewritten after 5th Ed (hope the God-Emperor that they keep IG doctrines!). Eldar, CSM, Orks, and SMs ae probably safe for the foreseeable future.

I wouldn't go with SMs, simply because EVERYONE plays them and it gets rather tiring to have every other player gearing MEQ armies. But I digress...

Personally, I have a 2nd edition Eldar army sitting around, half finished. After my winter project of finishing my Ork army, they will be finished as well. I REALLY like the Eldar codex (other than the wonky "new-but-old" format) and, being a 2nd Ed Eldar player, it's nice to see them revive the Harlequins (still no Exodites though). So, I'd say play Eldar.

I think you have gotten some good insight here. I have played both WFB and 40K.
As far as WFB goes, if you like stand and shoot armies, choose the Dwarves. I had an Orcs and Goblins army and they are flat out FUN IF you can not take them seriously and don't mind shooting yourself in the foot. Unfortunately, I don't know too much about the new Skaven. The last time I played them I had a Doom Wheel that was frickin cool. So, it has been awhile.

As far as the 40K armies are concerned, I suspect that there are more experienced players to show you the way. I have never even played against IG or Eldar before. Lots of Space Marines out there........

By the way, what is MEQ?

Karl

It depends on the reason for playing:


a) I am playing because I want to have a good time and enjoy some fun

If this is the case, then pick whatever army out there speaks to you. If it compels you to want to model and paint and play it from its looks and background then you are more likely to enjoy yourself.


B) I want to play competitive tournaments etc.

Crunch the numbers and pick whatever army you feel like you can win with the most.

Adunaphel wrote:
By the way, what is MEQ?

Karl

MEQ = Marine EQuivalent army (i.e. high armor saves, low models/squad, widespread access to good weaponry, etc)

As such, most players try to gear their army to take on an MEQ army, to the detriment of including the less powerful and/or more fun elements.