Wired4War

That sounds like all the stuff I don't like from 40k. So I'd only be okay with them doing this to AoS, if they then took all of this stuff out of 40k so I still had something to play.

I like that simple point cap. In a non-tournament setting, I'd be okay letting a friend bring a more expensive model if we talked about it first. Especially if they just finished painting it!

As long as both players are wanting to play fun and casual and take the units they like there shouldn't be a problem. At that point level, a large epic model will be at least half the list and so it will balance out by not having many other units to support it. If there is some really really good unit, don't just spam giant blocks of it. I think the small format forces using minimum sized units anyway so you have flexibility to grab and hold objectives.

I like 1k games on a 4x4 table, though the new 40k tables of 30x44 might be nice if you wanted to get into the action faster. You can always remove an objective or two if it seems like it'd be too crowded on the smaller board. Shifting objective has worked well for us, Better part of valor with 4 instead of 6 objectives, Focal Points, Scorched Earth with 4-6, and Battle for the Pass is one of our favorites.

If you really want the AoS experience, I find 1000 point games (not meeting engagements) a lot of fun and easy to start someone on. You could even start at 500, then work your way up 250pts each time you play, getting used to the new rules for the added units as you go. My friends and I do this together when we first learned the game and anytime we start new armies. I saw this because the smaller games like underworld, skirmish, warcry tend to add complexity for each of the 10 models per side, where a small AoS game could have only 3 or 4 units to remember. You can ignore terrain rules and other complicated rules. You could even ignore army rules for the first matches and stick to warscrolls, I do that when I play with my 4yo, but adults will probably get the hang of the army after 2-3 games (which will be short!). The other thing I've found helpful is to use simple objectives, the run up the middle and roll endlessly until one side is dead is not as fun. It can also help build narrative.

I super glued sheet metal into a wooden box (my daughter has lots of them from her Melissa and Doug toys). If you get the Flush-Fit Base Magnets from Magnet Baron, they work perfectly. One 6 mm x 2.2mm will hold on any infantry and you would probably be okay with the 4.5mm. I also carry my large figures this way so the 6mm were nice so I wouldn't need as many. 2.2mm thickness is the key though to sitting flush.

They left themselves a lot of room to grow with this army. There are 3 other elements to explore, and another 4 great nations based on martial (Tyrionic) instead of magical (Teclian) prowess. With other limited armies like Fyreslayers and Ironjaws, you don't get any sense from the books and lore that there are many more units other than what is presented. It's sort of like Stormcast, we know there are a bunch more chambers down the road.

I have a Liberator-Prime with a greatsword (and custom head, etc) that has yet to do anything. I don't want to blame his whole unit because they at least hold things for a bit, but it's become a joke with my gaming buddies of this inspiring but completely unlucky stormcast.

Has no one mentioned smaller table size yet? I like the direction 40k just went with that.

For this month, I have a Start Collecting Box of Tzeentch Daemons (primed and partially painted), 2 boxes of Blue Horrors, and Lord of Change. Fortunately I've painted all these things before so I know what I'm doing. That frees up next month for something new!

This definitely seems like a "win by tabling your opponent from range" type army. It will be quickly over for one of you either way.

All good points! I think I'm used to melee units where you want them all going at once. If I need to attack one target with two units in the shooting phase I can.

Is there a reason people run min sized flamers? Is it just for battleline in a conflag army? It seems like 6 would do a better job of clearing enemies (next to an exalted of course).

I know the army benefits the base troops (letters, bearers, daemonettes, horrors) the most, but do you something like Wrath and Rapture would be a good way to expand out of my current Tzeentch daemon army? Possible use for the Fiends or Fleshhounds? Or should I just go with the Start Collectings?