Orks or Adeptus Mechanicus? Flavor and coolness are for me equal but for way different reasons. Both appear to be expensive building towards a proper army (2000 points?), again for different reasons. So what to choose, what to choose… Subjective opinions and suggestions are the most welcome.

(probably explained in the rules proper) If I have a set of models (say boys) do they all use the same stat block or one depending on what the individual model holds? The description at the Warhammer store says “options for sluggas, choppas, shootas, heavy weapons and stikk bombz”. Are those options just fluff? Boyz are Boyz regardless of model looks? The store description for Skitarii Rangers makes me even more confused…

I’ve been told the Combat Patrols are a good entry point. But if I stand there at the store and they have neither the Ork nor AdMech combat patrol, and I really want to get something, what would for each army be the first stepping towards a proper army?