this is a long standing debate we have been having for years in our gaming group. So to lay down the foundations i would say its semi split perhaps. we have a one guy in particular who writes a single list up and plays that list for a year or more. Then we have some who tend to tailor a list to a particular opponent. then there are those amongst who try to make a list that more balanced. ( i will let it be said that i tend to take a list that aim's for balance and run it several times before i make any small tweaks. i tend o always run a solid core and then work on changing a unit or 2 at a time for better balance.)
I know from my own perspective that i have more fun trying to come up with a balanced well rounded army. i find that they tend to be a lot of fun and have a variety of units. my approach to list building has always been to maintain a strong core of troops and Hq(s) who support those troop choices. After i have my core i focus on my remaining slots which tend to be heavies fast attack and elites. That usually leaves me half of my points total to work with. most lists included roughly 50-60% troops and hq's.
I was just wondering on what the community consensus was? Do you guys tend to go more towards tailoring to a particular opponent? or do you come up with a more well rounded list and then change it when you think it needs changed or after its proven that it's weaknesses need to be changed.
i will say we may or may not have told the list tailoring player who he was playing or what he was playing only to change it up at the last minute for shenanigans. It is quite entertaining to watch some one who thinks they know their opponent and then watch as they get annoyed when their playing against another army all together.
a firm example of this is the ultra marines player who thought he would be playing against a horde ork army so he had as many template and heavy bolter's as he could get his hands on. only to look across the table and see an army army of mega nobs... it was priceless to say the least. (this goes to you list tailorer's when you have a list to beat a specific opponent that list suddenly does crap when faced with something unexpected.