Hello forum, I wanted to get into the tabletop game, but I can't decide if I want to play Imperial Guard, or Da Orkz. Fluff wise I like both of their lore a alot (except that the Brain Boyz also made eldar, me no like eldar). Unfortunately my Assault on Black Reach hasn't arrived yet so I don't know anything about game play mechanics, so I'm not really sure which army I would like to play as more. While these are my favorites I was also thinking maybe they wouldn't be a good choice because I'm not really good at managing a lot of different groups at once in RTS games, so maybe I should look into a different faction?
So maybe one of you could point me in the direction of a fun to play and noob friendly army, or maybe come up with some Pros and Cons of Guardsmen and Orkz. Thanks in advance for any advice and apologies for the ^above^ "Wall o' Text".

I havent played against Imperial guard yet, so i do not have a lot of experience with them. But my friend have orks and they are my sworn enemys.

If your going with orks, i suggest getting a lot of infatry and transports for them. Assault on Black Reach is good start if you want a lot of infantry. Orks work well in huge hoards and fast advancing on the battlefield. but don't forget to the support units (lootas, shokk attackgun etc) and the heavy support (battlewagon etc)!

When it comes to managing a lot units, its not to hard since it is turnbased. and when you so many units, you can make them fill a lot more roles then higher points per units armys (Marines). remember if your going with shooting ork army, that there Bs is not that high, so you will need a lot of shootas to compensat for that. It is possible to go with a mechanised list and use a lot of battlewagons (3 as dedicated transport and 3 as heavy support) but i dont know how good it is. my only advice if your going with mechanised orks army is that you get a mekboy with a custom forcefield.

I cant say much about IG, But if you use them, go mechanised! they have really good tanks! as much as possible. and throw in valkyries in your fast attack. Im not saying that there is no other way, but IG main strength is tanks, just like Space marines main strength is really good infantry.

if you want a infantry based IG, i suggest getting a lot of heavy weapons team, command/pluton squads and start a trench war!

Sorry for spelling Mistakes, English is not my native language.

Alright thanks for the thoughts... Orkz iz startin' to sound gud, but then...I do like tanks... haha silly Games Workshop giving me decisions. Think I'll wait and see if anyone else adds some advice, thanks for da WAAAGH! Mr. Spess Mahreen (thats what I'm assuming you play with the signature and whatnot.

I've played the Guard since the mid 90's, I've had Marine armies and a Necron one. My main oponents throughout that time have been Orks, Eldar and Marines in that order.

In 40K races are loosely grouped into "types". The Guard and Orks are what are termed "horde" races. That is their primary tactic is lots of infantry rushing at the enemy. Or in the case of the Guard standing and shooting them and dieing, in vast numbers and still having enough to win.

So with either race you are choosing an army that will require a lot of models. If you like that part of the hobby they are definitely good choices.

The Orks like to get into Close combat the Guard like to shoot the hell out of the enemy thats the main difference from the game play point of view. Neither race IMHO are forgiving to new players as both require good knowledge of the game. However you will find everything you need to know tactic wise here: http://www.40konline.com so take a look there and have a think. There are lost of mini reports of battles between the various races in the forums and stuff. Enjoy.

Personnally the Guard are awesome. You can go all tanky, shooty, Red Army infantry slaughter, specialist air, specialist cav, specialist demo etc they are just so versitle. But they do die. I probably loose more games than I win at the moment but everytime I loose I anihilate the enemy to the point its basically a draw. That to me is what makes the guard. The slaughter in the name of the EMPERAH! Oh and Commisars are also very awesome super sweet.

If you want an easy "noob" friendly army your best bet is Space Marines but everyone plays Marines and they are kinda a bit ghey. Also playing a slightly more complex army from the outset may in the long run lead you to apreciate the game more and be better at it. The more you loose the more you learn for next time with 40K IMHO.

Alrighty thanks for the advice, and the link a pretty nice site. So basically it's a choice of shooty shooty or hack chop stomp. Makes me wanna lean to Guard I do enjoy the idea of shooting more than running in and getting shot!

Well obviously i'm biased but IMHO you can do everything with the Guard if you choose to play that way. You can even make a kinda close combat army, although you would still be using tanks etc. Have a look on http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/New_Stuff at the range of specialist tanks you can get for the guard (and other stuff) and salivate! Sorry you will have to excuse me forge world is like my equivalent of internet pr0n being a 40k fanboi and all. Anyway *cough* right ahh yes go guard!

You did say you had ordered AoBR though which comes with Orks and Marines so at least you will also get a chance to play Orks and see what you think. Also just cause you play the guard for example doesn't mean you can't borrow a mates models and army list and use them in a game and your bud can use yours. Or nip into a local GW and ask the store Trolls to set up a few games with different armies for ya.

TBH Games Workshop games really sadly boil down mostly to money. The more you can affoard to spend on it the more stuff you can play and field. MMm which reminds me. If you are buying models make sure you check out Ebay for bargins and avoid pre painted models even if the picture looks awesome and states "pro painted".

So I bought Imperial Guard, (because Fer Da Emprah) thanks for all the advice but anyways, I was playing for the first time and couldn't figure out how wound allocation works, does the attacking player decide who gets wounded or the player being shot at...I couldn't find it in the rulebook, maybe someone could hook me up with a page number?

For wound allocation, the full indepth description is in the BRB, but to sum it up, unless if they have some sort of ability, or in melee, YOU or the defender gets to choose where the wounds go. It is more complex than that, but since most of your IG probably have the same gear and only one wound, just make sure that you spread the wounds out so that a model dies.

Edit: Forgot the page number : [, but it is in there! : D

As yer man above states. You choose generally speaking. There can be exceptions generally due to cover and hand to hand rules. Ultimately though if you are ever in a situation with a mate and you both have different interpretations of the same wording dont bother arguing it there and then role a dice 1 - 3 you win 4 - 6 he wins the argument and take it from there.

Hope you enjoy the guard man. If you ever need any advice gimmie a shout.

Thanks fellas may the Emprah repay you. So with your reassurance I went back in and found that it does say the OWNING player chooses which models are removed, but wouldn't that make the Bodyguard's "Look out! -- ARRGHH!" Useless, because if I had half a brain wouldn't I allocate the wounds the bodyguards instead of the commander in the first place? Or did I skim over another important line of rules... And as far as advice goes if I have a cadian battleforce, and my primary enemy is someone who only has an eldar battleforce what should the next unit I buy be? I personally was thinking Storm Troopers or a Leman Russ, what say you (Commissar-General) Corm? (Circle one!)or add one!]