Now that I have begun to organize a list I woul like to ask questions about specific units. I will be making several posts with the same intent but each post focusing on a specific unit set up.

Taking Banshees for my up closse assault work. Already painted two of the new boxes. Really like the new models. Initial plan is to use a unit of 6 models including an exarch with mirror swords and both exarch powers. That makes it a unit costing 128 points. They would be in a Falcon for transport. Planning on using 2 falcons in the army with the 2nd falcon carrying 6 Fire Dragons.

The Falcon is the most survivable transport option. Safer than the WS for sure but it limits the unit size. So which is better 6 Banshees from a falcon or a larger unit from a Wave Serpent? I don't think I would get a unit larger than 8 models of Banshees and since the plan is to pick on heavy weapon teams or command units I don't think they need to be larger than 6 models. On the charge that is 15 WS4 and 5 WS 5 power weapon attacks.

So what are your opinions on the use of Banshees? How far off target am I?

I would personally go with 8 to 10 in a Wave Serpent. But it depends. Do you usually fight low Toughness and low save oponents like Guard, Tau, and Orks? Or do you face Power armoured foes like Space Marines, Chaos or the Necrons?

Against power armour, banshees are, in more cases, wounding on a 5+. This means you need as many attacks as you can get through. The banshees are really inconsistent against such foes. They either hit really hard and you roll a bundle of 5s, or you roll barely any and they get smacked apart in the counter attack. Against Power armour, deffinately 8-10 in the wave serpent for more attacks and survivability in cc.

Against lesser T lesser Sv armies, ditch the Banshees for 6 Scorpions in a Falcon. They got loads of S4 attacks.

Cal

dont forget you cant assualt the turn you get out of a transport so a small group will be shot at when they disembark if not careful.
i'd go with a larger group in a wave serpent as you will want to move really quick which prevents the falcon firing its main weapon
vs T 4 ws4 foes so thats marines, chaos, necrons, 6 banshees will struggle of your 15 attacks half will hit and possibly 4 from exarch so say 12 hits for sake of arguement then you will get 4 wounds on average and vs a 10 strong unit still face the same number of foes

yeah, what Hardrain said.

You can't assault after disembarking, but ony if the tank moved before you disembarked. Banshees fleet of foot generally gives them an assault range of roughly 15". This means you don't need to really jam that tank up beside your oponent to get them into assault. Just plan your next move so you know exactly where you will let them out.

Cal