Army Size

[Eugee]

This is actually a general question, but since I'm getting back into W40K and happen to be doing it with Tyranid, this is where I want to ask. (Great site, by the way!)

What is considered the "default" battle size?

Back when I played in 3E, a 2000 pt battle was kind of considered the "full" armylist--tourneys were 2K, etc. Reading over the 4E book, there's mention of 400 (patrol) to 2500 for a force, with 2500 really being the top end. It also mentions that 1500 is a "normal" battle.

So is that what people typically bring to the table? In mentions of an Escalation league, the armies go from 500 to 2000 over the duration of the tourney, so that gives me the impression 2000 is still considered the "full size" army.

As I'm planning my modeling, painting, and play for the forseeable future, I'd like to plan out my army to whatever that "full" army size is. I've seen lots of 1.5K and 2K lists, but no 2.5Ks.

So... what's the "full size" for an army? 1.5K? 2K? or 2.5K?

I've been planning my current army out to 2K.

[Sir_Servo]

Well for full size I would say 3k. Most armies can easily get 3k into one Force Orginization Chart (popularly known as FOC's). As far as the Tourny secen it all depends on your location and what every one in your area prefers.

I would say most Tourneys are one of the following:
1,500
1,750
2,000
2,150

My recomendation is just show up at your local gaming shop with both a 1,500 point list and a 2,000 and see who is up for a game. After playing one game you should establish a few battle buddies and they should be able to give you the down low of what usually goes around at your local shop.

Hope that wasn't to wordy and helps you out,
Servo

[Eugee]

Very helpful! I'll aim for a 1.5K and 2K with my army lists for now then!

[Vlad Von Carstein]

Originally Posted by Eugee

Very helpful! I'll aim for a 1.5K and 2K with my army lists for now then!

With Nids you will end up with 6k+ in no time. (trust me)

[experiment 626]

warhammer 40k is actually properly balanced for 1500pts games... in smaller games, certain armies will have huge advantages/disadvantages than compared to if you're playing at that "proper" 1500pts level! (for example, it's nearly impossible to make a balanced, non-cheesey guard army at 500pts due to their highly unique & characterfull organisation.)
worldwide, the current tournament pts values vary depending on your location;
canada: 1700/1750 (odd i know - but we're nuts for living here anyways!)
US: 1850
UK: 1500
other local non-GW tournaments will have varrying pts values...

a very recent addition as well is the 'apocalypse' expansion which is basically like the old epic 40k, but for regular 40k!
apoc games are a minimum of 3000pts/side and the real beauty is that the Force Organisation Chart, (FOC), is not applicable!!! (so for example, you could have a marine army that's purely assault marines & termies!)

cheers!