Dark ELdar or Space Marines?

[shnarf83]

Hey guys,

Having been a long time Fantasy player, I've decided to take a break until they decide to update Dwarves (which could be 2013,14 or even 15 depending on which rumor you'd like to believe) so I'm casting back to 40k for a change... it certainly has changed a lot since I played back in '96' but every time I've posted on here I've received a pretty helpful response. I'm more into the 'fluff' and looks of an army rather than its success on the battlefield but I'm torn between Space Marines & Dark Eldar... I was wondering whether any of you had some insight into which you prefer? I haven't bought a codex for either yet but Dark Eldar as I understand it have had an update recently and some of the HQ possibilities look awesome! On the other hand the chance to create my own Chapter of Space Marines is massively appealing Unfortunately finances restrict me to concentrating on only one of these projects but I'd like to hear your accounts of each army and why you'd choose to collect them... Thanks in advance

[DeviantApostle]

If you're a fluff and looks guy, Dark Eldar. Of course, if you're dead set on creating your own Chapter (I can relate), Space Marines.

However, DE are different, they have a wide range of varied units, lots of customization potential. You can create your own Kabal/Wych Cult/Hellion or Reaver Gang/Haemonculus Coven that's carving a name for itself in the most deadly city in the galaxy. They're also Evil (with a capital), so you get to do alot of maniacal laughter.

Another great thing is you can cross-convert with regular Eldar if you're clever about it.

Of course, all this is coming from a hardcore DE player, so yes I'm biased.

[carlisimo]

You could always try to enjoy creating your own Dark Eldar cabal. It wouldn't be too different. They play very differently though, so give that some thought. It's not a matter of them being strong or weak, but with Dark Eldar you're more likely to win big or lose big.

I'd go with Dark Eldar. There's more variety within the army, and a lot of internal balance. With a few exceptions (and this could all change in 6th edition), you can build good Dark Eldar armies that look nothing alike. Space Marine units are mostly variations on a single theme. Most of your opponents will be using them anyway.

[Chem-Dog]

Yeah, Dark Eldar are a really flexible army at the concept stage, you can build pretty much any army you like the sound of.

And the models are flippin' gorgeous.

[GW2lag]

I personally have both, and I personally prefer Dark Eldar. They have some amazing fluff in the codex and many different army styles (slow coven army or fast CC wych army). However I find they take some getting used to on the table top and unless your a pro edge painter, you may not be satisfied with how they compare to the box art.
As for SM, I made my own chapter (The Crimson Tears) and I find it very satisfying to have painted an entire company of marines. Their fluff is good, however most of the fluff I like is in Black library books, not the codex. Painting wise, they're easy for an experienced person, and on the table they are very forgiving. They also have good internal balance (like the Dark Eldar) so you can have quite a few different army compositions.

[Gop]

Undoubtably DE are awesome and fun. But don't forget Space Marines have changed a bit too. There's new Grey Knights, and Space Wolves are a bit different.

There is now thunderwolf models and at present GK's are damned hard especially armies like Draigowing. You can have an army of Draigo, Librarian and less than 20 paladins, which has been placing high on the tournament ladders lately.

Then of course there's the good old faithful Blood Angels. They are still damn fine with the right build.

So pick what you like the look of and go for it! There's a lot of fun to be had

[Spiney Norman]

Usually my response to these kind of threads is "go with the army you like the look of", but in this case Dark Eldar is the only choice.

Whenever the question "army x or space marines" comes up the correct answer is always army x

Codex marines are boring, Grey Knights are so overpowered that everyone you play will hate you, Black Templars and Dark Angels are so behind the curve they're not even worth unpacking, and the fact that Space marines are the only army that GW actually gives a damn about causes me to hate them even more.

[Str10_hurts]

It really comes down to this.

You want to have fun games from the start not losing that often go marines. (somewhat a snapping turtle)
If you want a more alien and different games and don't mind losing quite a lot at the start go Dark Eldar. (somewhat of a glass cannon)

But good god, look at the Dark Eldar models and tell me you do not like them!

[Haravikk]

The Dark Eldar have a ton of awesome options, and it's all very viable; probably my favourite 40k codex for a long time.
I think they'd take a bit more getting used to than Space Marines, as most choices are pretty fragile, but once you get a good idea of the right combos for your list things start to get really fun. They're also a really fun army to play against, as you need a lot more army cohesion to counteract them.

[Scammel]

I see loads of Dark Eldar armies all over the shop nowadays, to the point where they're not as fresh or interesting as the consensus seems to have them. What I see less often is a really well-done and individualistic vanilla Marine army.

[MichaelJames]

If I could paint I'd play Dark Eldar. As I can't I play space marines. They're easier to make look good (at least for me).

[althathir]

Hey guys,

Having been a long time Fantasy player, I've decided to take a break until they decide to update Dwarves (which could be 2013,14 or even 15 depending on which rumor you'd like to believe) so I'm casting back to 40k for a change... it certainly has changed a lot since I played back in '96' but every time I've posted on here I've received a pretty helpful response. I'm more into the 'fluff' and looks of an army rather than its success on the battlefield but I'm torn between Space Marines & Dark Eldar... I was wondering whether any of you had some insight into which you prefer? I haven't bought a codex for either yet but Dark Eldar as I understand it have had an update recently and some of the HQ possibilities look awesome! On the other hand the chance to create my own Chapter of Space Marines is massively appealing Unfortunately finances restrict me to concentrating on only one of these projects but I'd like to hear your accounts of each army and why you'd choose to collect them... Thanks in advance

Space Marines - cheap, tons of options, forgiving (they are an easy army to get decent with), and GW supports them more than any fraction in either fantasy or 40k.

Dark eldar - cool models, Seems to have the most well regarded codex (good not broken, lots of options), super fast.

Both armies have cons DE have a stiff learning curve cause they're extremely fragile, and space marines are very popular, and they're forgiving enough that its hard to get great with them.

If all things are equal I'd suggest DE though, dwarfs and marines have a lot of similiarties (SW feel a bit like dwarfs tbh), so if your looking for something different the super fast fragile army is a great change of pace. Right now I have Space Wolves and Eldar and its really nice having two forces that I like that are so different I think it adds to my enjoyment of both forces.

[Spiney Norman]

I see loads of Dark Eldar armies all over the shop nowadays, to the point where they're not as fresh or interesting as the consensus seems to have them. What I see less often is a really well-done and individualistic vanilla Marine army.

Are you kidding or what, Space marines are the most common army, everywhere, they outsell the rest of the entire 40K range combined every month without fail. Sure advise the guy of the pros and cons of each army, but don't go making up such logic defying rubbish as marines are less common than Dark Eldar. Codex marines armies are two a penny in every single gaming club I have ever been a part of, almost every game of 40k I see being played have either one or both sides as marines.

[Shizzbam]

Are you kidding or what, Space marines are the most common army, everywhere, they outsell the rest of the entire 40K range combined every month without fail. Sure advise the guy of the pros and cons of each army, but don't go making up such logic defying rubbish as marines are less common than Dark Eldar. Codex marines armies are two a penny in every single gaming club I have ever been a part of, almost every game of 40k I see being played have either one or both sides as marines.

See, one small problem there. Yes Marines are far more popular than Dark Eldar by popular opinion - but not Codex Marines. I've attended several clubs for a while now and since their new books came out Codex Marine armies have died a death and Blood Angel/Space Wolves/Grey Knights armies are absolutely everywhere. There's TONNES of 'Marines' at my club, but I'm the only guy playing Codex Marines

[Rabbitden]

I would definately choose Dark Eldar. They have awesome new models and great background full of character. Their codex is very flexible and you can get some great themed lists from Haemie covens to wych cults. I play Chaos and Guard so i'm not biased - I just love the dark evil look that oozes from their redesign.

[shnarf83]

Hey guys, thanks for all of your feedback.. this is why I like this forum, plenty of people passionate about their hobby I'm leaning towards the Space Marines as the temptation to create a new Chapter is just too good to pass up.. I'll be creating a new thread for some ideas soon.... I've just ordered 'Firedrake' to have a read so might still swing round to DE but I'm really excited at the prospect of creating a Chapter.

[althathir]

Hey guys, thanks for all of your feedback.. this is why I like this forum, plenty of people passionate about their hobby I'm leaning towards the Space Marines as the temptation to create a new Chapter is just too good to pass up.. I'll be creating a new thread for some ideas soon.... I've just ordered 'Firedrake' to have a read so might still swing round to DE but I'm really excited at the prospect of creating a Chapter.

Good luck, it'll be a good army to get familiar with game as well.