Taking the plunge..some general advice about books etc

[LukeL]

On and off 40k player since I was 10ish during 2nd ed. Some editions I didnt play a single game in but always brought the books and scoured forums. Life kinda got in the way but 40k and especially the fluff has always been my guilty pleasure much to my other half's amusement. 

 

Over 10k worth of blood angels over the years and just brought the new SM codex with the intention of putting together a salamanders drop pod army then im not quite sure how started to read about 30k. I was aware it existed but never gave it a thought before..god knows why. 

 

Anyways Ive read pretty much everything I can find on 30k and now its time to by the books.

 

The question is..will just buying the £50 2 x rule books be sufficient? What do I get extra for buying the individual books such as betrayal etc?

 

Not decided on a legion yet, I know its going to be a traitor legion (but before they got too twisted. From what Ive read Im leaning towards SoH or World Eaters. As much as I like EC they end up going too warped for me(covering yourself in flaps of enemy skin and having your eyes sown open ?!)

 

In true HH style im going to go for a bigger list and try 3K - at this level and when considering list building am I likley to be facing super heavy tanks etc or do they kick in at even larger point games in general?

 

I note that some legions have not yet had rules printed - How far off are we before all the legions are covered? (months? years?)

 

And to the UK based players - do you all struggle for games of 30k? or is it popular enough for me to find another legion to go against with relative ease?

 

Cheers

 

Luke

 

 

[Brother-Chaplain Kage]

The two red books will cover the basic rules for standard units available to all Legions, wargear, and a small optional detachment of Thallax and Castellax are in the Crusade Book, and the Isstvan Legions book covers the specific rules and units for Sons of Horus, World Eaters, Emperor's Children, Death Guard, Iron Hands, Night Lords, Salamanders, Word Bearers, Iron Warriors, Alpha Legion, Imperial Fists, and Raven Guard.

 

What you're not getting in those books is the great story of the Heresy as it unfolds as well as detailed histories of each Legion, art, and rules for the Mechanicum forces, Solar Auxilia, Knight Titans, and most recently, everything in the newest book, Tempest.

[infyrana]

The 'red' books are sufficient for WE and SoH and the majority of the rules.  They lack all the extra fluff and images of the original books like Betrayal etc, but they do contain more up to date rules (including corrections I believe).  Sadly neither cannot include the continued population of new units which can be found in newer books and the FW download pages.  If you want the fluff and happy to read someone elses red books for the newer rules updates, I'd suggest the original full size books from a collectors perspective.

 

How far off are the legions?  Years I'd say... they are continuing to bring stuff out all the time, but I can't see the iconic legions of SW, BA and DA being ready for a little while longer yet.

 

Check the army lists for a potential plethora of stuff that you might be facing.  Expect to see spartan deathstars, typhons and primarchs for just a few of the more readily fielded units.