personally, i think that new players should learn how to write army lists for themselves before they start using programs that do it for them (a bit like how we learn to add in school before we start using calculators).
everyone has their own way of doing things, but IMO the important stuff is:
- split the list by
FOC section (for example, all your
HQ under the "
HQ" heading, then all your Troops under the "TROOPS" heading etc, not just in any old order) - this will make it easy to check that you have the right numbers of each
FOC choice, and is especially important in 5th ed where only Troops are Scoring.
- put the total points cost for each unit (and for each
FOC section) down one side of the list - this makes it easy to check the army's total points value
- for each unit, list the unit name and (where appropriate) squad size, plus the basic cost of the unit/cost per model. then list basic equipment, and options taken, with the points cost given for each option - this makes it easy to check that the unit's total cost is correct. if the unit has special models, like Veteran Sergeants/Exarchs/Officers etc, list them on their own line to make it clear what items belong to them and what belongs to the rest of the unit. if the unit has a Dedicated Transport, then list this directly below the unit in its own line.
- put the total cost for the force, as well as the name of the Codex being used at the very top (include the player's name as well if everyone is playing in a group). if the force uses army-wide options (like
IG Doctrines for example), then put these at the top of the list as well. new players may also find it useful to note the number of Scoring Units they have, and the number of
KP their army is worth.
- at the bottom of the page (or on the back if the list takes up too much space), the player should ideally include a reference sheet. (the ones
GW provide are OK, but have typos and dont necessarily include all the information required - plus they would include units that the player hasnt taken, and might have things in an inconvenient order)
split the reference sheet into sections: (non-Vehicle) Models, Vehicles, Weapons, Wargear/Special Rules.
include as much relevant information as possible. for example, for a Model, dont just give its statline - give its page number in the codex, list its special rules (which you can give in more detail in their own section at the bottom of the list). movement rates would also be useful for new starters too (just because the M stat isnt on the statline anymore doesnt mean you cant put it there).
by
copying out the relevant rules for their army onto their own reference sheet, a player will learn and remember the rules far better than if they just looked them up every time. also, by putting just the stuff they need on the sheet, and putting it in an appropriate order (for example, list models' stats in the order in which the models appear on the army list), it will make it much easier to find things in the heat of battle.
personally, i just use a simple Text file to make my lists, and add things up with a calculator. Excel can be good for adding things up for you (and ammending unit costs if you change the squad size etc), but a simple mistake in your formulas can mess everything up and take ages to track down. its also too easy to spend more time working on your
spreadsheet and not enough time considering the army itself. handwritten lists should be the last resort for those without access to a PC IMO - even with perfect handwriting they arent ideal, as they are difficult to edit (unlike those saved on a PC). its also much more work to provide copies for opponents etc.
anyways, i hope that helped on the list writing front. all of the above is of course just my own personal opinion on the subject - others may do things completly differently.
as to organising games, why not ask everyone to bring lists at 400/500
CP, 750, 1000 and 1500 pts all made from the same army? that way, no matter how big or small your collection, you will be able to find someone to play. you also dont need to worry about arranging individual games in advance (i wish i had thought of this when starting out: if i arranged a game at a set size but my opponent didnt show, i would often have to write a list from scratch to play someone else who brought a different sized army, which would detract from the playing time) - just find an opponent on the day and pick the lists that are the same size (or not, if you want to play 2 vs 1 games, e.g. 2 x 740 vs 1 x 1500).
hope that helps,
~ Tim
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