Safe new army to take up?

[HighMarshalAmp]

With my Oldmarines nearly finished, I find myself at a crossroads. I do want to play Primaris. Just not right away.

 

But all the other armies that have tickled my fancy so far (Oldmarines SW - about to be squatted ;) and GK - aaw Lord) don't seem to have a future much different from that of C:SM.

 

So what would be a good army to start? One that won't get squatted with 9th, one that's not notoriously underpowered right now and one that doesn't use models of legal bloody drinking age?

 

I've thought about Custodes, they're quick to get ready and the Jetbike Captain must be the second coming of the Emperor judging by his reputation.

 

Orcs have a sweet Mad-Maxy thing going on though, but then again I can't stand the sight of the Boyz (sorry, Orc fans, it's not the models, it's me).

 

Grey Knights? I'm not done with them, but they're a darn monotonous chore to paint in my chosen scheme and I could do with a break.

 

Or maybe just a loyal 32 of Tempestus Scions to boost my Oldmarines?

 

Bottom line is, I've looked at all the armies, I like a lot of them but I don't have any hard experience with any of them.

Which one of all the factions meets my criteria, mainly the one of standing any chance against the current hot shot factions?

 

Edit: yes, I know it's all in how I play them, but the fact remains that some armies are really easy to get both wrong and thus tabled by round 3...

[Warhead01]

My answer is don't. Don't start another army. If you don't see something you absolutely have to collect, paint and play then don't do it. What would be the point. 
I would have recommended Orks, lucky for you there are no Orcs in 40K... , But again if you aren't just drawn to an army and on your own excited about it, don't do it. 
When I started AoS I was cleaver enough to start an army with very little baggage from wfb. I picked Bonesplitterz.  My reasoning was it was an army written for AoS and not an army that had previous rules they were trying to bring into AoS.  That said I'd think about armies that have only come about with 8th edition or that have very few edition behind them. But only if you really like which ever one it is. 

If I had it to do over there are lots of armies I have owned I never would have bought at all. I could have just focused on the one or two I really liked the most and would have probably been happier for it. 

[Panzer]

one that's not notoriously underpowered right now and one that doesn't use models of legal bloody drinking age?

So basically no Eldar, no Marines and you already said not Orks due how the Boyz look.

Now I'm not sure how old all the models are but that leaves you with Astra Militarum, AdMech (no old models there obviously), T'au (most of the model line is new or updated), Necrons and Tyranids. None of them are notoriously underpowered right now and don't use ancient models like Eldar. ^^

Mind you they all are mid-tier armies competetive-wise tho. If you want to play on top tables your only options are imperial soup or Eldar.

[HighMarshalAmp]

But again if you aren't just drawn to an army and on your own excited about it, don't do it. 

[...]

If I had it to do over there are lots of armies I have owned I never would have bought at all. I could have just focused on the one or two I really liked the most and would have probably been happier for it. 

That's just the thing, I am excited about several armies just like I was about C:SM in the beginning when the concept of a tabletop game was the most appealing aspect.

I learned to love C:SM along the way and were I to settle on a new faction, I'd get really into that as well (it's kinda what I do with everything I do).

 

If I was looking for a new guitar now, I'd go to a store and play every guitar they have on the wall 'til I can't put one down.

If I knew what type of sound I was looking for, I'd know which ones I could skip right away.

 

With 40k armies, I'm at a point where I'm just looking for something else, for something different from what I have, with only a few certain restrictions - like, to stay with the guitar metaphor, if I wanted a meatier sound for rhythm work and would like the body of the thing to cut into my ribcage a little less than the one I have. 

 

Putting color on the same shapes all over again? I need a little break from that - but I enjoy the painting of miniatures far too much ( ) to just not do it.

And playing 40k in a way that feels different to playing C:SM? Fresh wind in cozy, well known surroundings? Count me in!

 

Enter new shapes of stuff I've flirted with for a long time. So now I'm testing the waters for what else there might be and will then settle on either going for a new army or expanding what I have.

 

You have given very, very wise advice however. Thank you for that!

 

Mind you they all are mid-tier armies competetive-wise tho. If you want to play on top tables your only options are imperial soup or Eldar.

Nope, no interest in top-tier tables.

[Panzer]

Well if you aren't interested in mid-tier armies at all you really only have those two options and since you don't want such old models I guess your option really is just imperial soup. Time to build some loyal 32. ;)

[Jorin Helm-splitter]

1. Your oldmarines are still going to be around in 9th. Between chapter approved and vigilous they received a lot of rule support, so you have time.

 

2. Out of the options you like I would suggest the scions, but mainly because your interest in them seems to be more as an ally force. I think they would add a lot to your older armies. 

[Warhead01]

Well if you aren't interested in mid-tier armies at all you really only have those two options and since you don't want such old models I guess your option really is just imperial soup. Time to build some loyal 32.

I've been thinking I might do that for my own Nu-marines. a nice meat shield to sit behind for a turn or two. 

 

 

 

But again if you aren't just drawn to an army and on your own excited about it, don't do it. 

[...]

If I had it to do over there are lots of armies I have owned I never would have bought at all. I could have just focused on the one or two I really liked the most and would have probably been happier for it. 

That's just the thing, I am excited about several armies just like I was about C:SM in the beginning when the concept of a tabletop game was the most appealing aspect.

I learned to love C:SM along the way and were I to settle on a new faction, I'd get really into that as well (it's kinda what I do with everything I do).

 

If I was looking for a new guitar now, I'd go to a store and play every guitar they have on the wall 'til I can't put one down.

If I knew what type of sound I was looking for, I'd know which ones I could skip right away.

 

With 40k armies, I'm at a point where I'm just looking for something else, for something different from what I have, with only a few certain restrictions - like, to stay with the guitar metaphor, if I wanted a meatier sound for rhythm work and would like the body of the thing to cut into my ribcage a little less than the one I have. 

 

Putting color on the same shapes all over again? I need a little break from that - but I enjoy the painting of miniatures far too much ( ) to just not do it.

And playing 40k in a way that feels different to playing C:SM? Fresh wind in cozy, well known surroundings? Count me in!

 

Enter new shapes of stuff I've flirted with for a long time. So now I'm testing the waters for what else there might be and will then settle on either going for a new army or expanding what I have.

 

well, maybe just make a list of the armies you really do like and start a process of elimination.  If it's about cool painted shapes then how much is it about rules? and just math it out till you find..."The One! "

It could be you like one unit the most and want to build an army around it? or some thing else.  It's all subjective to your tastes. 

I like Orks so I bought and painted far too many of them. I prefer Orks, as a troop choice over all the other choices in the army. But I am a big fan of troop choices over all other choices. Waves of greenskins running a round chopping up fools and general being belligerent monster is cool. 

Maybe it's a hero, if that's what your into? something specific? 

definitely don't rush in and throw time and money away for a zero return. 

 

 

You have given very, very wise advice however. Thank you for that!

Haha. No problem.   I get buyers remorse if I am not using the things I buy and paint as often as I can. 

[Captain Idaho]

=][= Moving this to the appropriate section. =][=

[SickSix]

Chaos Marines about to get completely revamped. They will be safe forever and are about to have some fantastic models in the next year or so.

[Slasher956]

You missed off Knights... no old models, not a large model count to paint.. and can be fielded with your current army till you get enough!

[HighMarshalAmp]

Well if you aren't interested in mid-tier armies at all you really only have those two options and since you don't want such old models I guess your option really is just imperial soup. Time to build some loyal 32.

Now I can't tell if you're kidding or not (if you are, you're either good or I need coffee), but I've edited my answer to more precisely reflect that I'm not interested in competitive play. Just in case

[Panzer]

 

Well if you aren't interested in mid-tier armies at all you really only have those two options and since you don't want such old models I guess your option really is just imperial soup. Time to build some loyal 32.

Now I can't tell if you're kidding or not (if you are, you're either good or I need coffee), but I've edited my answer to more precisely reflect that I'm not interested in competitive play. Just in case

 

Not kidding, just misunderstood you it seems. :P

[Dragonlover]

I'm gonna throw my hat in the ring for Genestealer Cults. New codex imminent, all the models are new, plays completely differently to Marines and in a pinch you can use a bunch of Neophytes as a Loyal 32 if you need them.

 

Dragonlover

[MARK0SIAN]

If you like kit-bashing then Imperial Guard give you (in my opinion) unparalleled opportunities to create a really unique force.

[NatBrannigan]

Deamons always give you an AoS army at the same time if you REALLY want a break.

 

I feel your pain / excitement. I currently have Guard, Lizardmen (no they are NOT called Seraphon!) and Tzeentch Deamons, and now have a Primaris Wolfspear force as well (due to a friend wanting to do a joint army). I just keep getting my attention caught by different armies, and not even necessarily the latest release!

 

Tau are all pretty new and I'm currently considering a Gu'sava (not spelled correctly I know) Tau army. Imperial Guard in Tau armour / weapons. Lots of conversion potential there.

 

Guard themselves mentioned a few times above and not only are they great fun to play, you can mix them in with your current army. Just please don't do the CP battery thing with a 'Loyal 32'. It gives us Guard players a bad name and there's so much potential for more!

[apologist]

To put a slightly different spin on things, one of the nice things about having an army 'done' is that you've got no pressure to build and paint for the purpose of gaming. Instead, you can spend some time just enjoying the aspect of 'play', in its truest sense.

 

Pick a few models you like; with no thoughts for army lists or gaming. Perhaps spend some time converting or trying out some new techniques. With a game-ready army behind you, you can enjoy this part of the hobby. 

 

To riff on your metaphor; you're still taking your old guitar to the gig, but you're getting the chance to play the sax – or the drums, or the bass – for a couple of songs.

 

Eventually, no doubt, you'll end up coming across a model or range that you particularly enjoy – and that's the seed of a new force. :)

[sairence]

Join the Guard, son. Our tanks are awesome. We have them small and fast, perfect for your barbeque (Hellhounds), big and boxy with a reliability that'll never let you down (Leman Russes) and if that's not enough for you, you can always supersize with 11 barrels of hell (BANEBLADE).

 

On top of that we have tanks with guns so big you'll never see them fire (Artillery) and even walking tanks (Sentinels)!

 

What more could you possibly ever ask for?

[templargdt]

If you want an army that will always be good, Eldar is a thing.  Seriously, I don't think they've ever been less than top tier. 

[Kinstryfe]

I think it all depends on what you want out of it. If it's a painting challenge or a break, pick an army you have a nice colour idea for. If it's an allied force, I think that you can never go wrong with Imperial Guard. They're fun and different from Marines on their own, but also ally in very easily, but not wanting to paint the same thing over and over can make guard dull unless you minimize the troops.

 

I would second the idea of maybe genestealer cult. As said above they can double as regular guard, will play and paint very differently, and have a whole different ally. Or, have you played Kill Team? Maybe pick an army you like the look of, start with those 20ish models, and that way if you end up not liking painting them well, it's only a handful of models and not a huge investment.

[Ishagu]

I recommend Ad Mech. The models are just so lovey, and the variety will expand when FW units gets 40k rules.

 

The points have also just been adjusted in CA and a lot of the units are looking a lot more attractive.

[The Yncarne]

If you want an army that will always be good, Eldar is a thing. Seriously, I don't think they've ever been less than top tier.

Fifth edition. They weren’t spectacular in rogue trader either, but then all the armies of the time were more or less equal.

 

The thing with eldar is what’s beat tends to change over time. It’s a good long term army because you can pick from great looking models and/or pick from good or mediocre units that will change come the next codex revision.

 

I don’t think the OP wants eldar, but this is the prime reason I’ve played eldar since the beginning of the game.

[Claws and Effect]

I'm starting a new army as well.

 

After much hemming and hawing about it I settled on Eldar from Craftworld Lugganath for a few reasons.

 

1) They play very different from all the armies I've played so far (Marines of various flavors).

 

2) I really dig the orange and black paint scheme.

 

3) I really enjoyed playing Harlequins in Kill Team, but they don't really have enough to make a full 2,000 point army out of. After digging through the lore, Lugganath made the most sense to ally them with.

 

4) I wanted an army that has more of a Psychic phase than getting 2 powers denied and moving on.

 

So there's my thought process on how I picked a new army, maybe it'll help you come to a decision easier.

[KJB]

Go Custodes, you’ll only need to buy a few models for a 1000 point army

[FormelyKnownAsSmashyPants]

I’d wait a little while and see what they do traitorguard, they look amazing.

[Fajita Fan]

I'm gonna throw my hat in the ring for Genestealer Cults. New codex imminent, all the models are new, plays completely differently to Marines and in a pinch you can use a bunch of Neophytes as a Loyal 32 if you need them.

 

Dragonlover

FOR THE BROOD