BFG: Some starting SM questions

[kharn_the_betrayer]

I'm looking at starting an SM fleet as part of my tax return and a celebration of saving a lot of money and fixing my BBB/Armada Books (for only $8 USD). I also have a couple of questions about starting it. I've played BFG on and off for years and am using my favored method for starting a fleet which is building up in 500 point chunks covering the basics. I do have a couple of basic questions about the fleet for starting:

1) Is it better to max out Strike Cruisers or skip one and do more escorts (other fleets tend to go cruiser heavy and for 500 I can pop 3 SCs in there)?

2) What are the preferred escorts (as there are 6 to choose from)? I realise some with lances would be a bonus but I am wondering what some prefrences are if its using the SM ones or the RSVs.

3) At what point level should I add a Battle Barge into the mix and how many Cruisers should be backing it (give or take)?

4) When going up in points what is the general view on the ratio of BB/SC/Escorts?

 

I am doing this off of the Astartes List from Armada not the Segmentum Solar List but if the other is preferable please inform me. They seem to be about the same I just want to use that list as it allows me more SCs and doesn't seem to be too different at all.

 

Thanks

 

KtB

[Vaaish]

There are two main routes to go with Marines: all strike cruisers with escorts and all battlebarges with escorts. I tend to think that the battlebarge route is a little stronger because you have better durability and weapons range. For escorts, hunter and gladius are preferred.

 

If you go the BB route, probably 750 points would be the place to start since it gives you a few points for escorts along with it. general ratio is take as many BB as possible, then take the rest in escorts or take as many strike cruisers as possible and the rest in escorts. The difference in the two lists is the solar list lets you mix in IN cruisers and battleships which nets you some of the bits the SM fleet lacks but generally makes for weaker lists.