Legion for New Player

Except I can't find the all-in-one ;-) Any ideas on where to pick it up?

Huh - I looked on PP, but didn't think to check the store (it's not in their Hordes All-In-One page), and couldn't find it on Miniature Market, either. Thanks!!

Welcome to the Blight!

Specifics to your list:
Thagrosh1 is a great starting caster - definitely a top choice in the faction - and he holds up well into the competitive space presently (just be careful of RFP). 

The Carnivean and Scythean are also good starting beasts, just be sure to magnetize the kits, if possible, so he can try swapping in a Ravagore, or doubling up on something. Having two magnetized Carnivean chassis is a solid investment for a new player, but hold off on any more than that.

Striders get some play, as do Swordsmen, but Legion is largely defined by its beasts, with units playing a support or specific role. That's not how everyone plays, though, and I think it's good to give him a mix when starting out. The spawning vessel helps with recursion, but it will involve some additional models in the lessers, and it isn't played all that much these days - but that's partially because people aren't playing as much infantry, which is where the vessel shines.

Some general thoughts on Legion:
Legion is a fragile faction that uses relatively expensive pieces to threaten opponents though their superior threat ranges and assassination potential. Legion is great at choosing what to kill, and getting it done, but is going to have a hard time keeping up with the efficient attrition grind that other factions (particularly Warmachine factions) can boast as strengths. Terrain is a big deal for Legion, and if you're not playing with a lot of relevant terrain, Legion is going to have a hard time. It should also be noted that while infantry removal/fighting high DEF/target selection are strengths of Legion, high ARM/attrition/taking a hit are characteristic weaknesses of the faction. Legion models are typically "overcosted" because of circumstantial benefits on the models, and the key to a strong Legion game is playing to your circumstantial strengths and fighting a wise battle that leverages mobility for tactical superiority, and exploiting your opponent's mistakes/circumstantial weaknesses and picking off their key models.

I'll throw a list of recommendations, below, to get some additional thoughts on starting off, and where to go based on table experience:

Casters

• Absylonia2 - great for beast-heavy, particularly alpha-strike melee aggression, some shooting tech
• Fyanna2 - current hotness; great kit for running many styles, particularly high DEF flying heavy beasts
• Kallus1 - Excellent melee infantry caster, and one of the few casters who really enjoys the Blightbringer
• Lylyth (any) - She's our ranged caster, so if you're into shooting, she's your lady
• Rhyas1 - If you love melee shenanigans combined with all-in assassination attempts, she'll get your blood flowing
• Thagrosh1 - Our brickiest caster because of his aura, with a well-rounded attrition game
• Vayl2 - Magic shenanigans, and some control elements with maximum versatility, noteworthy skill curve

Note: Other casters are fine, but those are some early recommendations.

Beasts

• Angelius - Versatile beast with a strong special attack
• Azrael - Pricey, but one of the best guns in the game, on a serpentine chassis
• Carnivean - Our default heavy beater, with some survivability
• Naga - This is in almost every competitive list because of its animus and solid gun
• Bloodseer - Something I've championed since its release, it is all about versatility
• Bolt Thrower - Great for warlocks with ranged attacks (Lylyth/Vayl) b/c snipe animus
• Protector - Excellent beast for casters who enter melee b/c Guard Dog & Shield Guard
• Neraph - Solid slippery light-heavy, requires a damage buff to get work done
• Proteus - Melee shenanigans, great with Absylonia, wants a damage buff
• Raek - Fast, stealth, jumpy, headbutting/slamming pain in the ass
• Ravagore - Our "core" ranged beast, but expensive, so consider its inclusion wisely
• Scythean - Versatile melee beater with Grievous Wounds
• Seraph - A staple of Legion lists for its threat extension/reposition and -DEF flare shot
• Shredder - This is probably what you're making via Spawning Vessel b/c it's bitey
• Typhon - Versatile, expensive, spray and melee beat-stick, top 5 character

Note: Some models, like the Archangel and Zuriel, can be awesome in certain lists, but are not recommended in early purchases for building a versatile collection, unless you love the model or the specific lists it fits into. I would only get one of everything until it is used; maybe two of the Seraph and Carnivean kits b/c magnetization.

Solos/Units

• Annyssa - Great solo-hunting solo/harasser, buffs Raptors, learn the way of Prey
• Shepherd - Grab a few of these when starting off b/c fury management and points fill
• Forsaken - Grab two of these, and don't look back, they are our fury management staples with added bonuses
• Spell Martyr - Grab a three pack of these when you start using spell-slingers, points fill
• Deathstalker - Get 2! Top tier infantry removal in the game 
• Raptors - A really excellent cavalry unit, although cavalry can be tricky when getting started, they scale well with skill
• Hex Hunters + UA - Run with Bayal (UA), and you want some help delivering them (stealth, immune to blast)
• Swordsmen - Our premier beatstick unit, you will want help delivering them via DEF/stealth/ARM/etc., UA optional
• Hellmouth - One of the best units that doesn't see play because of themes; unique rules, powerful, pain in asses
• Spawning Vessel - Consider if running a lot of infantry that won't outpace it for recursion
• Scouts + UA - Run with UA, infantry-removal front line, still unsure where I am with them right now
• Swamp Gobbers (minions) - They make a cloud, and that can be the key to keeping certain models alive

Notes: Sorceress & Hellion is a great piece once you start getting into themes and more sophisticated play and list design, but don't worry about it right away. Succubus is similar, once you've got a grip on caster fury management. Blackfrost Shard is a unit to consider for extra damage output, but they'll be a liability until positioning and execution are improved beyond the basics. I obviously skipped a bunch of viable stuff - these are just recommendations for getting started.

I hope that helps! Let us know if you have any questions, and bring him in to chat with the community when he gets to that point - Legion has a famously-excellent reputation for being awesome.

I feel like this might belong in The Athanc.