As mentioned in the introduction post I am returning to 40k after several years away, even longer since I played Eldar. This post is wide open for information as I am asking some rather vague questions. Please give me a little leeway in this.

First let me explain that in any game system I do not do well playing static defensive forces. I tend to prefer a quick and agressive unit with supprt. More of a hammer and anvil style like Warhammer Fantasy which I used to play a lot. I think what I am currently seeing is what would be deemed a hybrid list, not static defenseive or pure mech.

Here are some units I am considering and why I am considering them. Once again, this is open so please feel free to comment or correct my ideas about averything posted here. I am not looking for tournament dominant list, rather competitive and fun.

HQ: haven't really thought about too much. Independant charachters usuall come to me later as forces round out. Likely an Autarch and Farseer, but really undecided.

Troops: I am planning on going Dire Avenger heavy. With the new codex I really like them as my basic trooper. 2 possibly 3 units with at least one having a Waveserpent for transport. SOF attack seems solid to me so this could be one of my hammer units. For some reason I like the Rangers too. Likely upgraded to pathfinders I can see a unit of about 7 or so helping to pin a few units, or likely annoy MEQs or termies. Never been a fan of jetbikes, but at 22 points now I would listen to quality arguements for them.

Elites: Passing on Scorpions. Not taking Harlequins as it sems like EVERYONE will be using/complaining about them and I am too old for that today. So thinking Bancshees and Fire Dragons. Six of each Aspect with a Falcon per unit. May be too many eggs in a basket but this give some adaptability too as I do not have to use the Falcons for transport but the option is there. 6 Fire Dragons eems OK, but 6 Banshees seems like a very fragile unit. Worth it to Waveserpent them too? Wraithguard are point heavy and too slow with too short a ranged weapon for me.

Fast Attack: Loved Spiders back in the heavy flamer template days. Not sure how well they work now. Shining Spears are more jetbikes to me. Vypers seem like a weaker and more expensive version of the Tau Piranha. Never beena big fan of Swooping Hawks, but I am changing in this. A unit with an exarch using the Skyleap ability allows for the Swopping Hawks to use their grenade packs several times in a game. The sunrifle at assault 6 gives you the volume of shots of three Hawks for only 15 points. Problem is aren't the Hawks supposed to be in cc and I am paying points for the wrong job?

Heavy: Well if I go the two Falcon route that only leaves one spot open. If I use that spot for my anvil or fire base do I use heavy weapons platforms? War Walkers? The Falcons will consume a lot of points to kit them out. I purchase a three pack of war walker just for the models. I am not overly impressed with their stas and cost. The one thing I can see a walker squad offering is a diversion of heavy firepower from your enemy. Either they draw shots away from your tanks, or the tanks draw the shot of longer ranger weapons leaving the walkers to face less severe weapons. Dunno on this one.

So in summation I am looking at Dire Avengers in some number, a transport or two, Dragons and Banshees for thier specific roles, Falcons, Swooping Hawks for annoyance and speed, something with range and oomph.

Please share your experience and thoughts. All are welcome and thanks.

:blink: :huh:

Okay, you have a lot of info here, and due to the fact that your topic is (as you say) so broad, this will make it somewhat difficult to address all your issues.

I think the most helpful thing for you is to throw together some rough army lists so that we are able to direct more issues clearly.

Anyway, due to the fact that I have a tendancy to waffle on with broad issues, I'm for now just going to answer your direct questions.

You've definately come to the right army then :D

6 of almost any Eldar is a fragile unit (yes Hardrainfalling, I do know that six wraithguard are not fragile :D ). Eldar untis require a certain amount of finese in their playing style. Generally in games of 2000 points or less, depending on your list, six is generally a good number for most aspect units (of course there are excveptions such as Dire Avengers). In short, they may be fragile, but six is stiill very effective, and often are enough to get the job done (however more is usually better).

Very well. With lots of strength six weaponry, Spiders are a brillinat unit (against the right targets of course).

No actually. Well not against infantry anyway. Their weaponry menas they are targetted toward shooting. The exception is agaisnt vehicles. Due to their haywire grenades, hawks are very proficient tank busters.


Hope that helped....

i'd look at wraithlords , very heavy hitters in CC superb character killers eg if a space marine hero hasnt got a thunder hammer or power fist he cant hurt us and fail an invunerable save and hes dead, they can also shoot well on way in

hawks are definately tank hunters , their low str poor ap weaponary will bounce off the vast majority of enemies

warp spides kick some , well worth it and a 3+ sv makes them survivable

Oh I know its a really old thread but I just have to put my two cents (aus ) in. I agree with at least one mob of dire avengers as under the new rules they are deadly close support. I'd go for two shuri's on the exarch and blade storm it up. I am a fan of howlers too so your choices are pretty good. I love the fact that the scatter laser now has an ap which means the potential to penetrate and four shots. My Vypers are armed with this weapon. I'd suggest the use of bikes now the price is lower. I love my two wraithlords as they give me a TOUGH fire base and that is a real boon for an army like the eldar. I use a falcon in the last slot to cart around five fire dragons and occasionally a farseer with a singing spear. It can be a one trick pony but quite a few tanks have been punished once these guys have been dropped off behind them. I've never really liked the models for spiders so I don't use them at the mo' but I shall try out dark reapers now that the models have been redone and the exarch comes with the ML. Anyway enough raving, let us know what you ended up with and how it fared.