Ok I have the new codex and I am intrigued by the Corsairs entry but I have a few questions. I have been lurking around this site reading various army lists and advise on the Eldar as I am totally new to this army and a couple things really stick out. Keep in mind that I am trying to theme the army while staying with the conventions of the Eldar fluff.
1. If I create a corsair list I feel that it would require more guardian, storm guardian and dire avengers than most Eldar armies deploy. Having said that my noobie knowledge says that an army like this can't possibly be competitive.
2. Would corsairs make use of wraithguards and wraithlords? I saw an army list in an issue of WD that did make use of wraithguards so I am not sure, in the beginning I thought that they couldn't.
3. Would corsairs have access or make use of aspect warriors? And if they did I kind of feel that the number of different aspects available would be less than those of a "normal" Eldar force.

Any help would be appreciated greatly and thanks in advance for any help

I think you're going to have to think into your Corsairs fluff before deciding on units. However there are some units you could use anyway and remain fluffy whichever way you go. The Rangers are an example of this, as they are wandering Eldar who may well work with the Corsairs or hire themselves out. Harlequins are another example of this, as they can appear beside any Eldar force, even Dark Eldar.

Secondly you want to think about what your core troops will be. Will it be Rangers? Or will you have a large corsair fleet where all the ships crew rush to battle in the form of Guardians, or are they a highly war like fleet, raiding enemy settlements, and relly on the speed of their numerous jet bikes to see victory through.

Guardian forces can work, however you have to field them in large quantaties and you'd probably want them accompanied by a Farseer and a lot of Warlocks, and backed up by Rangers and support weapons batteries. Old Ulthwe' lists could be constructed in this way.

I don't see any reason why Wraith Guard or Wraith Lord would not be used, but I wouldn't advise a lot of them. Undoubtedly the Corsairs have an infinity circuit of some kind.

The units I would really avoid are Aspects, and the Avatar. Only Craftworlds field Avatars. YOu could 'disguise' the Aspects though with other units, using the Aspect rules as specialist units used by the corsairs. The Shining Spears could repressent the elite of speed fanatical jet bike riders. Scorpions could repressent sabetuers or scouts. Avengers could be used to repressent the elite fighting 'guards' of the Corsair fleets.

Alternatively, if your fleet has strong relations with a Craftworld, perhaps they lend the Corsairs their aspects in exchange of a fleet if the Craftworld ever needs deffending.

One thing I'm curious to, is will you be constructing a BFG fleet to accompany the army? If you can get some friends into BFG I highly reccomend this, as it really will add a new dimension to your campaigns and themed forces.

Cal

I too am greatly moved to the Corsair side of things...I was thinking of using Rangers (of course) but trying to stick to fast/sneaky stuff besides. Jet bikes, maybe warpspiders or scorpions, etc. Any more advice and background for Corsairs would be greatly appreciated!

Rhomdruil

Prince Yriel was the original corsari lord the first fluff ever was Yriels Eldrich raiders
fast stuff like war walkers and vypers , the orginal eldrich raiders used eldar dreadnougths before they became wraithlords, wave serpents have carrying space for loot also

warp spiders would make great ship boarding troops
agree no avatar and proberbly no farseer

Serpents do have alot of room for loot! Any good fluff sources, or will I just have to write my own?

Rhomdruil

Try reading some battle fleet gothic fluff for inspiration. Their downloadable rule books on the specialist games site might have some stuff. Also the UK gw site is also good for loads of fluff.