Building my first list

[KingBellos]

So I joined a Growth League at my local

shop. The idea is every month we paint and add 500 points to our armies. I started painting during covid, but never played. So for my first army to play I went CSM.

 

I have my 500 point army done. 
1 Dark Commune (Tzeentch) with Eye 
10 Cultist

8 Accursed Cultist

5 Chosen

5 Possessed

 

My idea is the Accursed will do decent heavy lifting at 500 points. They regenerate and Tzeentch allows me to gain the extra CP for free each turn with I think gives me an edge in the 500 point army range. Cultist do what Cultist do. Then have Chosen and Possessed as blenders to expand more of as I go along.

 

I am kinda stuck after that and not sure what I should add at the 1k, 1.5k, and 2k range. 
 

At 1k my plan was to add more cultist and accursed cultist. Along with a MoE, Raptors, and a Forge Fiend.

 

I know by 1.5k I need to have a Rhino to hold Chosen. Not sure if I need a 10 man block of Possessed or 2x 5 man units. 
 

Any advice to help this newbie is more than welcome. I want to have an idea bc September is when we start the 1k matches so I want to start painting up stuff. Thanks for any help you can give.

[Kythnos]

Is there any reason you are only taking 8 accursed cultists and no fiends in that unit? Because I do not think they will be able to do the heavy lifting you mentioned this way. 

[KingBellos]

Sorry, I typed that wrong. It is the 3 Torment and 5 mutants in that block. I just wrote 8 bc that was the total amount of models. 

[sonsoftaurus]

Welcome KingBellos!

 

With growth leagues it’s IMO a good idea to have an idea of what the higher/end list will look like, and then pare down to lower levels. It looks like you already have a good idea for the next few steps but could be worth picturing the desired end product. You can of course change your mind and deviate as you go.

 

Does the league restrict you to prior list + add-ons, or can you switch things out? Important to consider, and especially if fixed sometimes worth leaving your current list a little short on points so the next bump up fits (ex running 980 pts and the next block costing 520) .

 

Also important to know if can add to squad sizes as you go, if characters once given an enhancement etc are locked in or not. 
 

For Chaos, would be important if Marks are fixed or not. Something to think about for future and plans for attaching characters. 
 

Games play differently at different point values. A Rhino can feel like a Land Raider at 500.
 

You will be having this army after the league, for future games. When the two may conflict, focus more on the final army you want vs something you may think will help you win some games at x level in this one league. 

 

Good luck, hope it goes well!

[Gilbertus1]

My 2 cents on what you can add

 

- A different HQ, give this one Mark of Tzeentch with the eye so your Accursed and Commune can have a mark that better suits their melee focus, (I take undivided for mine)

 

Now here are some choices

MoP- can add to the chosen for a 6+ FNP on their 3 wound bodies and +1 to their advance and charge mechanic. Can also add to Possessed. He has a nice sniper pistol too.

Sorcerer- Also add to the chosen for a -1 to hit.

Tzeentch buffs up their bolters so the marks pact effect isn't fully wasted.

 

If you want Terminators you can give it to a terminator character, lord or sorcerer.

I REALLY love Tzeentch Terminators, Lethal hits on 5s are amazing for combi-bolters (plus reroll hits from Terminators) and skinshift lets you bring them back to life. The combi-bolters gives you a means to attack titanic targets reliably (outside of a vindicator) as even lascannons struggle with 5s to wound. (Obviously this point is more relevant for larger point battles)

 

- Forge Fiends are the new hotness and can give your army some much needed shooting firepower.

 

- Would you consider a Land Raider for the Chosen instead of a Rhino? The assault ramps rule allows them to charge after disembarking after the LR moves. Increases their threat range and the LR has 4 lascannons so helps with ranged anti-tank shooting. Make it Nurgle for sustaining hits lascannons and its a good candidate for the Nurgle strat.

 

- Expanding the Chosen and Possessed units can be an option, (or play MSU with the Possessed). I'd say at least increase the chosen to 10 if you are already going to get them a transport.

 

Just some ideas, have fun designing and painting your new army!