The latari/uthuk starter boxes are significantly cheaper than their standalone counterparts, but not as much as the core.

The core has effectively 7 25USD expansions (counting both heroes as one box since they only have 1 model) and 1 35USD box (2 large models even though different faction) and of course the 25USD essentials. Thats 235USD worth of crap for 100USD. The only real difference being lack of certain cards from the standalone boxes, which for Daqan isnt much of an issue (legit, there is no reason to get Spearmen standalones vs just getting more cores) but for Waiqar thats actually a pretty big factor since CI for Archers and Lingering Dead for Reanimates are pretty huge upgrades not found in the core.
Course 25USD of that is wasted in repeat heroes. Having a backup of the Essentials isnt a bad idea so i wouldnt say thats wasted unless you bought more than 2 cores.

Latari is 60USD, and contains roughly 105USD worth of stuff (depending on how you determine the value of the single-model hero and scion). Uthuk is 60USD, and given Siege units cost more and their hero is a Siege unit i'd wager ~115USD worth of stuff (speculation only). Essentials is 25USD, but since its separate you only pay that once.
Both are a bargain compared to their respective standalones (assuming Uthuk wont be the odd man out and have different than 25USD/35USD prices), just not as crazy as the Core. Even if you pawned off the half of the Core you didnt want for 20-30USD, its so much cheaper for raw model count.
Of course, this is a game with an upgrade system so raw unit numbers alone isnt the goal. You can easily get more models than you'd ever use if you bought 3-4 cores right now to get a huge army, then realize you need like 4 of a certain box to get enough cards to field them properly and end up with like 6-10 trays of models you'll never use just because you have so many of them.

I'm with @Wired4War . I base primarily on aesthetics. It's your army; you're the one who has to look at it every day. Might as well get an army you like to look at. Lore is a close second, because I'm all about the fluff. Too bad there isn't much fluff yet. I am hoping for a lore book like FFG has for their other IPs (Android and Arkham). Gameplay-wise, I think movement is the most important phase of any tactical game (in games with movement phases), so I value armies that can outmaneuver their opponents. So that's elves for me.

My collection in this game and faction choice is going to depend a lot on what the release schedule is going to be like.

After Infernals, what is the next release? Waves? A new faction? Will the wave incude for all? Will it maybe just be Daqan and Undead? Crossbow men and Undead Horse are coming out do they count as Wave 1? Extra large models? 2x2’s of bigger beasts, like a Dragon or a Giant, or the Stay Puffed Marshmellow man?

Who knows?

The answer is simple.

but them all

4 hours ago, Muz333 said:

That said why not collect a small army for all four factions?

Yeah I think I will at least get the starter boxes for elves and spiky-angry-guys. It will let me test out both their play styles and their paint styles.

4 hours ago, Vineheart01 said:

The latari/uthuk starter boxes are significantly cheaper than their standalone counterparts, but not as much as the core.

The core has effectively 7 25USD expansions (counting both heroes as one box since they only have 1 model) and 1 35USD box (2 large models even though different faction) and of course the 25USD essentials. Thats 235USD worth of crap for 100USD. The only real difference being lack of certain cards from the standalone boxes, which for Daqan isnt much of an issue (legit, there is no reason to get Spearmen standalones vs just getting more cores) but for Waiqar thats actually a pretty big factor since CI for Archers and Lingering Dead for Reanimates are pretty huge upgrades not found in the core.
Course 25USD of that is wasted in repeat heroes. Having a backup of the Essentials isnt a bad idea so i wouldnt say thats wasted unless you bought more than 2 cores.

Latari is 60USD, and contains roughly 105USD worth of stuff (depending on how you determine the value of the single-model hero and scion). Uthuk is 60USD, and given Siege units cost more and their hero is a Siege unit i'd wager ~115USD worth of stuff (speculation only). Essentials is 25USD, but since its separate you only pay that once.
Both are a bargain compared to their respective standalones (assuming Uthuk wont be the odd man out and have different than 25USD/35USD prices), just not as crazy as the Core. Even if you pawned off the half of the Core you didnt want for 20-30USD, its so much cheaper for raw model count.
Of course, this is a game with an upgrade system so raw unit numbers alone isnt the goal. You can easily get more models than you'd ever use if you bought 3-4 cores right now to get a huge army, then realize you need like 4 of a certain box to get enough cards to field them properly and end up with like 6-10 trays of models you'll never use just because you have so many of them.

You're working too hard at this, trying to adjust for single model heroes, etc.

Splitting two cores with a buddy (or random stranger you find interested in the other faction) gets you each 1 (useable) hero, 2 siege, 8 trays of the bread-and-butter unit type, and 4 trays of the support unit, and a set of terrain and rules. Total cost is MSRP $100.

Doubling up two Army Expansion boxes for Latari or Uthuk and adding in an Essentials gets you the exact same contents as splitting two cores for the Waiqar or the Daqan half. 1 (useable) hero, 2 siege, 8 trays, 4 trays, and terrain and rules. Total cost is $145.

Apples to apples, splitting cores is way more efficient. But I've fallen sufficiently for the Latari that I'm willing to grin and bear it, pausing only to gripe about how nice Waiqar and Daqan have it. I can afford the extra $45 to get the faction I want, even if I shouldn't *have* to and it's unfair that I do. However, though I could see myself getting a third core for Daqan, in particular, it's much less likely that I use a third Latari Army Expansion for bulking up.