What is the “standard” point level to play in 40K? I have to often remind myself that where I play is just a small part of the community and our standard might not be your standard. 1750 used to be the norm, now 2000 is the norm and we are even starting to creep up to 2500 points as I see the start of this 2.5K becoming the new tournament standard.
How is this as a 40K experience?
Forget about cost and time spent building and painting and let’s focus on the experience on the tabletop. If both armies are painted and the terrain is “ok” visually it is an impressive game, and I get to play all my dream units at once. I get my terminators AND my three land raider AND my uber HQ, but at 2K the table feel a bit crowded and the game takes 3-4 hours to play. For the most part I enjoy games at this point level but sometimes they can be a grind.
And then there is the time and commitment to painting and building an army, I understand why so many armies go unfinished, but as I’ve touched upon elsewhere bare plastic and primed armies really take away from the suspended belief of the game.
On the other side what about playing at smaller point levels? The rules are written to be played at 1500 points, but that doesn’t mean lower points won’t work anymore then 2K plus points work.
Enter the 500 point game- how did I arrive at 500 points and why?
On and off for the past year I have been playing games at a range of point levels- 500, 750, 1000, 1200, etc. and I’m at the point that for me personally that 500 points really has the most “fun” level attached to it.
How and why you ask?
First there is the time and cost of models which is really a big entry point for new players in the hobby. Guys more than a few years in who have a couple of armies tend to forget the expense and commitment of starting a new army or buying into the system. Personally, and not to get sidetracked I don’t see 40K as that much of an expensive hobby compared to others- yes you are using disposable income to buy man toys, but what hobby doesn’t?
500 points means you have an HQ, 2 Troops, and maybe a Heavy, Elite, or Fast in your army. 3-4 boxes, paint, glue, basing, and you are set. Maybe $200 to start playing if you are new to the hobby and buy new as opposed to used. Put that $200 in terms of video games or even golf like my buddy Naps is trying to get me involved in. Now how much for a 2K point army? Buying from scratch and not recycling unit you already have- easily $1K+.
If you are new to the hobby a small 500 point army is not overwhelming to build and paint, especially if you are part of a club with guys who can help you build and paint it, giving some tips and guidance- you could be playing in a week with a fully painted “army”. Now imagine you are new to the game and actually buy in at 2000 points- how long to build any paint, heck if the vets can finish their army how is a neophyte to the hobby?
Then there are learning the rules of the game, which is easier with a dozen or so models over hundreds and multiple units that all interact differently. This is also more than just a starting point, if somebody new to the game wants more than HQ, Troops, and other unit can form the base for a larger army if they want to venture out to bigger and better.
For somebody already involved in the game a small 500 point task force army is a great way to start a new army and take a break from your main army. Maybe you want to play Dark Eldar without really playing them, something to pull out every now and then, same thing with Tyranids perhaps, 500 points isn’t much of a commitment and can offer you a nice diversion from your regular loyalties.
How does the system play and feel at 500 points?
For me, in many ways more enjoyable, more of the feel of 40K I had when I started in the hobby, but do realize I am influenced a bit right now from some serious tournament burnout.
More enjoyable? How?
First is the time limit, at the club we have around 3.5 hours to play, counting board setup, the actual game, and then breaking tables down and away. In that time period I can get in 3-4 games at a very relaxed and casual pace over 1 played at 2K. Winning AND losing become fun- if I get trounced my opponent can offer me a rematch right there to restore my honor. We can also play a variety of missions, and if I only have time for a quick game on my way home from work, I can pop in, hammer out 500 points, and be done in an hour.
Visually the quality of the game is also much better which leads to that more cinematic and movie feel. There is no excuse for an unpainted army, nice terrain, and all the fun fixings that make 40K a wargame over just playing some sort of Avalon Hill like game, not that I don’t enjoy them.
How is the flow of the game different?
The first thing I discovered is that I had to shift my FOCUS of the game and adjust to 500 points. When testing different point levels my first reaction was “What? I can’t get at least a land raider, termies, troops, and a dread in? This sucks!” At that level I was looking at around 1200 points, which we might as well play the 2K. I had to approach 500 points with my thinking as a skirmish level based game and really MAKE a decision as to my special unit in the army.
Surprisingly tactics became even more important at 500 points. Losing a unit or HQ choice is a huge deal, you would be surprised at how carefully you play, waiting to commit, probing, etc. Once you commit that is that, one mistake and you get wiped out. Unlike 2K point games where if I lose my raider and termis it is “Ok” since I have two more- I have so much redundancy that it is at this point ridiculous.
Back to the 500 points side, make that mistake, get wiped out, no big deal, we have time for three or four more games.
When building your task force you are going to have to make some hard decisions rather than just cut and pasting the same units across the force org chart. What angle are you going to take the army in? HQ slots are suddenly very powerful, but be careful you don’t get into a points sink with them- they are only one model and there are mission objectives you have to keep in mind…
Examples?
So what are two some examples of 500 point armies I enjoy playing? Let’s look at Tyranids and Grey Knights since that is what I have playing around with as of late. All the codexes expect Necrons (which will be fixed shortly) and perhaps Black Templars since they are so expensive, can throw down a nice variety at 500 points, you would be surprised. You will also be challenged since EVERY point is valuable and you will want to get your list at 500 points on the button!
First up is Tyranids…
Tyranids: Release The Beast!
Hive Tyrant (1) - Scything Talons, Scything Talons, Wings, Paroxysm, Leech Essence
Hive Guard (1)
Hive Guard (1)
Termagant Brood (10) - Fleshborer
Termagant Brood (10) - Fleshborer
Genestealer Brood (5)
I want a big scary monster to charge forward and tear stuff up? How is that not fun? So we start with a Hive Tyrant and give him wings since they are needed for the mobility. Even with them he will be running forward so no shooty, and I want the double talons for the re-rolls.
Two groups of gaunts run next to him for some shooty and objectives, pretty standard, while two hive guard in separate shots also work their way up.
A small “commando” stealer group is my fun wild card- they either infiltrate, outflank, or just camp on a back objective hiding and going to ground.
I have anti-tank in the hive guard, some so-so infantry suppression with the gaunts, and said wild card with the stealers, while the Tyrant is the beast that I release.
Lots of point in the Tyrant? Parhaps, but this list is out there to show that you CAN play some of the big baddies in the list and hit all your other checkpoints.
Something a little more conservative?
Tyranids: Warriors!
Tyranid Prime (1) - Deathspitter, Rending Claws
Lictor (1)
Lictor (1)
Tyranid Warrior Brood (4) - Deathspitter, Rending Claws
Termagant Brood (10) - Fleshborer
Genestealer Brood (5)
Prime joins the warriors and the gaunt brood goes in front of them to grant cover saves as needed, this block moves up to engage the opponent, or maybe even hangs back as a firebase depending on the mission objectives. Warriors can still get instant punked from S8 shots, but at 500 points 3 wounds is very solid.
Stealers go commando as usual, and the lictors are the assassins in your list- popping up behind tanks for rear armor, popping onto objectives to contest, hide, go to ground, etc. In cover supported by the warriors they are very efficient.
Onto Grey Knights…
Grey Knights: Purgation Task Force
Brother Captain
1 Paladin, Halberd
1 Paladin, Halberd
1 Strike Squad: 5 GK, Psycannon
1 Strike Squad: 5 GK, Psycannon
Lots of options for such a small force…
Depending on the mission of the strike squads have to advance the BC attaches and takes the first incoming wounds as they advance and fire. If they are more defensive then they camp in terrain as mini fire bases. Paladins really shine here with the 2+ and two wounds. Deepstrike them into the back as the strike squads advance, hold them back with the strikes as a counter attack unit, attach the BC as a mini- death star unit, etc.
You have some nice assault elements on the BC and Paladins, anti-infantry fire with the storm bolters and psycannons, and your anti- tank with the psycannons- could even deep strike the entire army, and you have a few points left over to tinker around with…
500 point as a viable way to play 40K your thoughts?
Not from the perspective of a 2K tournament player, but as a new way to approach the game- you are not longer commanding a huge army, but rather a small "elite" task force that has to get the job done and the mission accomplished.
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