[ambadasdor]

Hello, I am new to 40k, but I have a pretty decent understanding of 6e rules and have played a few games. However, I have almost no idea where to start when it comes to creating a strategically sound army (because of my experience with other games I can make some guesses, but that's not always enough). Anyway, a friend of mine heard that I was starting and offered to sell me his 2,000 point eldar army from 4e fro $40. I jumped on this opportunity, picked up the most recent codex, identified all of the models in my new collection and this is what I got:
(Note: I have not added any equipment to this list, I have just recorded what it looks like the models have, except for in the case of the Dark Reaper exarch, I replaced what looked like a shuriken cannon with his tempest launcher, because I used him in a game with the cannon and it blew)

HQ: 1 Farseer
1 Warlock w/singing spear

Elites: 7 Striking Scorpions w/1 exarch w/a claw and what appears to be a shuriken pistol, but that is not allowed, so...

Dedicated Transport: 1 of what appears to be a home-brewed Wave Serpent w/twin-linked bright lances

Troops: 19 Guardians w/ missile platform
6 Rangers
3 Guardian Jetbikes (Troops or not anymore?)

Fast Attack: 1 Vyper w/shuriken cannon & twin-linked catapults
7 Swooping Hawks w/1 exarch w/either of the special weapons

Heavy Support: 1 Support Weapon Battery w/D-Cannon
5 Dark Reapers w/1 exarch w/Tempest Launcher
1 Wraithlord w/Starcannon
1 Falcon w/what appears to be twin-linked scatter lasers, but that is wonky, so...

Anyway, as far as any of the weird things on the list, I have already talked to my friend and he doesn't remember much about this army at all, I do not think that he liked 40k very much. I played a 1,000 point game against Space Marines using part of this army and lost handily but had a blast, none the less. That got me in the mood to drop some money on making this a coherent army. I loved the Dark Reapers and I have heard that Wraithguard are fun, but beyond that I am really open to suggestions. I am looking for a fairly versatile collection, where I can swap out units based on what I am playing against. I am sorry about the wall of text, but thank you so much for any advice you have.

 

[ew_holmes]

This looks like a fun starter list! It's unfortunate that you have such messed up models, but it could still be fun!

I would strongly suggest checking out some of that Tactics articles on here, Ragewind(i think) wrote a great article on each unit.

Tempest Launcher is the best weapon in Eldar for anti-MEQ - use crack shot with it, 2 blasts S4 AP3 ignore cover, AND reroll failed wounds. You can cripple any marine squad every turn, and let his fellow reapers clean up the mess. ALWAYS shoot with the Exarch first, so you hit more marines with the blasts .

Jetbikes are still troops, and I would maybe use the Falcon with Twin-linked Scatter lasers as another Wave serpent - it would make sense at least .

Eldar are expected to have a new Codex in late 2013, so I would suggest buying things that are finecast, or finishing any units (like hawks, rangers, scorpions). Right now Eldar is not a very competitive army, so I would suggest taking things you like the looks of, or waiting until the new Codex comes out to expand .

Things to buy now:

Fire Prisms - magnetize the weapons so you can use them as Nightspinners as well - I always magnetize everything (Wraithlord, Falcon, Wave Serpent, Warwalker, Vyper, Exarchs, etc.) so you can have multiple loadouts without having to buy 3 of the same model!

 

[ambadasdor]

Thank you, I can't believe that I didn't think to check out the tactica. I'm going to use one of my beginner's mistake cards on that one. Anyway, I will definitely start counting that Falcon as a Wave Serpent, that does make much more sense. How many Fire Prisms do you think I should get? Also, I don't see the rules for a Nightspinner in relation to the Fire Prism anywhere in the codex. Am I just missing it? Thanks.

 

[ew_holmes]

Nightspinner rules are not in the book, you can find them here.

Basic rules are:
Statline - same as falcon (AV 12 12 10, transport 6, BS3)
Gun: Twin linked (reroll scatter dice), large blast, Barrage (doesn't need LoS, but if no LoS, you don't subtract BS from scatter - not that important with a TL gun)
Gun: Strength 6, rending, Monofilament web**
Range: 12-72"

** Monofilament web: any units hit by this blast take a difficult AND dangerous terrain test if they try to move the next movement phase.

I have 2 Fire Prisms, and find they work best in pairs - takign only one usually means it'll blow up before it does any damage (or gets disabled). 2 gives you the ability to combine shots, which means S10 AP1 small blast(anti-landraider), or S6 AP3 large (nasty against marines)

EDIT: Nightspinner is not mentioned as transport in that rule set, but it's old. Nightspinner is mentioned in one of the transports sections in the 6th edition BRB, so I assumed it's capacity of 6, since it's the same chasis as a Falcon/Fire Prism. Not sure how that holds up in tournaments.

 

[ambadasdor]

Thank you for the Nightspinner rules! I will have to look into getting a few Fire Prisms now. However it seems like the Eldar heavies are some of the best units in their ranks, so I may not use them every game. Decisions, decisions... I suppose that is where a lot of the fun in this game is, though!:grin:

 

[ew_holmes]

Yes, I definitely run into the "If I could take 6 heavies, I would" scenario every time I built my list.

 

[Ragewind]

I don't have much time to talk but I reccomend taking a look at my guide as it should be able to really help you out with your specific army questions.

Rage's Guide

 

[ambadasdor]

Thank you, Rage. I have looked at your tactica for 5th, but I couldn't find your stuff for sixth, I will start readin that now. This will be really useful, as I have just picked up a few more units and I am building a 2,000 for a Space Marine match tomorrow. I will post that list when it is done.:grin:

 

[ambadasdor]

This is what I am thinking for the Marines:

HQ-618
Farseer W/Spirit Stones, Doom, Fortune & Guide
Eldrad & 3 Warlocks 1W/Singing Spear & Enhance, 1W/Destructor & 1W/Embolden (I want to try out the different Warlock powers and see what I like) in a Wave Serpent W/Star Engines & Bright Lances

Troops-382
3 Guardian Jetbikes
6 Pathfinders
19 Guardians W/Missile Launcher

Elites-517
5 Wraithguard & 1 Warlock W/Singing Spear & Enhance in a Wave Serpent W/Star Engines & Scatter Lasers
7 Striking Scorpions W/Exarch W/Scorpion's Claw, Biting Blade, Stalker & Shadowstrike

Heavy Support-484
5 Dark Reapers W/Exarch W/Tempest Launcher & Crack Shot
5 Dark Reapers W/Exarch W/Tempest Launcher & Crack Shot
1 Support Weapon Platform W/D-Cannon

The plan is to rush my Wraithguard and Seer Council in there and blow up everything I can reach, while my D-Cannon, Farseer, Pathfinders and one unit of Reapers sit somewhere with relatively good cover and lay down fire to keep him off of as many objectives as I can. I hope to use the Scorpions as support for my two deathstars. (I mostly just really want to try them, they are one of my favorite aspects, in concept, but I have not been able to field them. :grin I think I will have the other unit of Reapers in a position to provide cross-fire for my artillery squad. The bikes and Guardian blob are there to try and take objectives and tarpit, respectively. Does this sound like a decent strategy and how does my list look, even if my strategy is bollocks? Thank you so much for the help you have given me already and for looking at this list.

 

[ew_holmes]

I really like the weapon combo on the Scorpions Exarch - I never realized that Biting Blade only replaced the chainsword, so you can indeed take both!

Looks like a fun list. I like the fact that you are taking 2 units of Dark Reapers! I could suggest maybe knocking them down to units of 4, then you could get a second D-cannon in, and have another 20 points to add another scorpion, OR you could use that 20 points , lose a guardian and add a warlock with embolden to the unit - it'll help the tarpit scheme with +1LD and reroll LD tests .

 

[big rob]

IMHO, until the new eldar codex comes out- hopefully, sometime later this year- I think the best we can do is take no half measures, and be as mobile and with as much long range heavy firepower as possible. Allied flyers/AA emplacements are also prudent.

There may have been an earlier edition of both the BRB as well as an eldar codex whereby things like striking scorpions, wraithguard, dark reapers and support weapons batteries made alot of sense, but the main rule book and the various armies with their more current codex editions seem to have put us almost perpetually on the cusp of mediocrity. I haven't used striking scorpions and the like mentioned above in quite awhile.

I find that up-armed jetbikes and jetbike-based deathstars are still quite potent and threatening, and fire prisms and/or multiple war walkers can bring it fairly reliably. Dark eldar allies for their air force help alot. Throw in maybe a few shining spears and/or some heavy-hitting vypers and things become quite interesting. Play to our strength, and go all out!

 

[ambadasdor]

I find that up-armed jetbikes and jetbike-based deathstars are still quite potent and threatening, and fire prisms and/or multiple war walkers can bring it fairly reliably. Dark eldar allies for their air force help alot. Throw in maybe a few shining spears and/or some heavy-hitting vypers and things become quite interesting. Play to our strength, and go all out!

That actually sounds really fun, but I would like to proxy as little as possible until I learn what the models I have can do, learn the game better and (most importantly) I have enough money to buy real models. Proxying always looks weird to me, especially when I have no units that look similar to the unit I am proxying for (a la Warwalkers). that being said, I do believe the next unit I buy will be Warwalkers, they are so versatile (when magnetized) and look like a blast! I also just love the look of them. Anyway, I have updated my list for tonight, I'll let you know how it plays.

HQ-621
Farseer W/Spirit Stones, Doom, Fortune & Guide
Eldrad & 3 Warlocks 1W/Singing Spear & Enhance, 1W/Destructor & 1W/Singing Spear & Embolden (I want to try out the different Warlock powers and see what I like) in a Wave Serpent W/Star Engines & Bright Lances

Troops-399
3 Guardian Jetbikes
6 Pathfinders
17 Guardians W/Missile Launcher & 1 Warlock W/Singing Spear & Embolden

Elites-517
5 Wraithguard & 1 Warlock W/Singing Spear & Enhance in a Wave Serpent W/Star Engines & Scatter Lasers
7 Striking Scorpions W/Exarch W/Scorpion's Claw, Biting Blade, Stalker & Shadowstrike

Heavy Support-464
4 Dark Reapers W/Exarch W/Tempest Launcher & Crack Shot
4 Dark Reapers W/Exarch W/Tempest Launcher & Crack Shot
2 Support Weapon Platform W/D-Cannon

Should be 2,001 again, unless I am off. :grin:

 

[ew_holmes]

Looks fun! If you are looking to make it a legit 2k list (<= 2000) drop the guardian's Warlock spear - he probably won't get in range to use it unless you're being bold!

GL and have fun!

 

[Ragewind]

That actually sounds really fun, but I would like to proxy as little as possible until I learn what the models I have can do, learn the game better and (most importantly) I have enough money to buy real models. Proxying always looks weird to me, especially when I have no units that look similar to the unit I am proxying for (a la Warwalkers). that being said, I do believe the next unit I buy will be Warwalkers, they are so versatile (when magnetized) and look like a blast! I also just love the look of them. Anyway, I have updated my list for tonight, I'll let you know how it plays.

HQ-621
Farseer W/Spirit Stones, Doom, Fortune & Guide
Eldrad & 3 Warlocks 1W/Singing Spear & Enhance, 1W/Destructor & 1W/Singing Spear & Embolden (I want to try out the different Warlock powers and see what I like) in a Wave Serpent W/Star Engines & Bright Lances

Troops-399
3 Guardian Jetbikes
6 Pathfinders
17 Guardians W/Missile Launcher & 1 Warlock W/Singing Spear & Embolden

Elites-517
5 Wraithguard & 1 Warlock W/Singing Spear & Enhance in a Wave Serpent W/Star Engines & Scatter Lasers
7 Striking Scorpions W/Exarch W/Scorpion's Claw, Biting Blade, Stalker & Shadowstrike

Heavy Support-464
4 Dark Reapers W/Exarch W/Tempest Launcher & Crack Shot
4 Dark Reapers W/Exarch W/Tempest Launcher & Crack Shot
2 Support Weapon Platform W/D-Cannon

Should be 2,001 again, unless I am off. :grin:

Only need 3 Dark Reapers per squad not 4, so that's 70 points saved right there, which is another D-Cannon

Since you will be rushing those Guard up don't give the serpent a Scatter Laser, make it a Shurican Cannon, that's 15 points saved right there. That can be another Scorp.

Farseer doesn't need Doom for the Locks cause you know...Fleshbane. that's 25 points right there. While it >may< be useful on the Scorps nothing else in the army really needs it so 25 points for one squad not so much.

With the points saved you can add another 1-2 Warlocks

You can't give him a Biting Blade and a Power fist, so that's another 10 points saved right there.

The Lock Serpent again doesn't need Scatter so thats another 15 points saved.

Now you can put Destructor on the two locks you bought with the above points.

The Lock with the Wraithguard don't need a Singing Spear, he cannot split fire and anything they shoot will die. Let him keep the Blade so he can bring a extra attack in CC.

 

[ambadasdor]

I got torn to shreds! But it was still a fun match. The problem was that I couldn't get enough solid hits off before he was in may face with CC. It was very likely an on-the-table error, although seeing Rage's post has made me notice some mistakes (thank you), most of which I didn't even know could be mistakes. I think Eldar, especially a mostly pre-constructed collection was an interesting choice for a first army... I still love 'em, though. I understand that the SS Exarch cannot fit a blade and a claw, (frankly t seemed a bit over-powered to me) but why is that? In the codex it says that one replaces his pistol and the other replaces his sword.

 

[Ragewind]

I got torn to shreds! But it was still a fun match. The problem was that I couldn't get enough solid hits off before he was in may face with CC. It was very likely an on-the-table error, although seeing Rage's post has made me notice some mistakes (thank you), most of which I didn't even know could be mistakes. I think Eldar, especially a mostly pre-constructed collection was an interesting choice for a first army... I still love 'em, though. I understand that the SS Exarch cannot fit a blade and a claw, (frankly t seemed a bit over-powered to me) but why is that? In the codex it says that one replaces his pistol and the other replaces his sword.

Remeber baby steps with a new army until you get going.

As for the claw and blade, the Blade is a 2H weapon wheras the claw is a 1H weapon meaning you cannot use them at the same time. On top of that you may only use one special weapon at a time meaning you would need to choose between them each time you attack and cannot split your attacks between them.

While you can take both its typically a waste of points

 

[big rob]

I got torn to shreds! But it was still a fun match. The problem was that I couldn't get enough solid hits off before he was in may face with CC......

Yeah, not too surprising, really. Mobile, long-range, heavy firepower and some type of flyer/anti-flyer component will go a long way towards avoiding that outcome, at least until we get our new codex. Right now we sort of have to play shoot-and-scoot in order to be competitive, but if we have enough mobility and serious ranged weaponry with air cover, we can fight well, and with good forethought we can sort of fool our opponents into setting up in one area, but quickly re-deploying towards our real goal. Foot eldar right now just don't seem to be able to withstand coming to grips with most opponents, and still carrying out mission objectives. Over time, however, you will aquire the right kind of army that really can get off enough solid shots while avoiding getting mauled up close and personal. Live and learn....

 

[Ragewind]

Here is the list i run currently. Can you
Tell me how its supposed to play and why based on your current experience? If you can correctly ID the majority then you should have no trouble growing into your own list. As a aside what do you think your current list could do aganst it and why not? What would you change if you could to deal with the threats i bring?

Maugan ra 195
Fire Warriors w/ Team Leader +BSF 68
Fire Dragons 112
w/ Tank Hunters, Crackshot, Exarch, Dragons Breath Flamer
Fortress 290
Krakstorm
Heavy Bolter x4 -
Icarus Lascannon -
Center Bunker -
D-Cannon 150
D-Cannon 150
Farseer 90
w/ Mind War, Runes of Warding

Jetbikes 66
Jetbikes 66
Jetbikes 66
Jetbikes 66
Farseer 75 -Mind War
Suit Commander 115 Missile Pod, BSF, Iridium Armor, HWDC, Sheild Drones x2
Bastion 110 -
Fire Dragons 112 Exarch, Dragons Breath Flamer, Tank Hunters, Crackshot

Braodsides 268
w/ Team leader, HWBSF, HWDC, Sheild Draones x2,

Edit: im on my mobile and wont be able to fully respond fully until this evening. I will however be answer and quick questions you may have to help your thought process

 

[ambadasdor]

Sadly enough, Rage, I have no idea how I would fight that force with my list and I don't know anything about Tau or things like Fortresses (I don't even know what that type of thing is called. Buyable terrain?). I can tell you that I believe the Jetbikes are for denying/claiming objectives at the last minute, hit-and-run attacks and getting Linebreaker. The Fire Dragons are for vehicle destruction and MEQ killing. I get the feeling that you park the Fortress with all of the goodies inside somewhere and just start wailing away on anything that gets too close. However, I tried an artillery emplacement-like strategy last night and my opponent discovered the ingenious strategy of avoiding it, which for some reason I never thought of... If I had to take a guess at what your army was designed to do, I would say that it tries to hit transports and heavies with the Dragons, while all of your ranged-superiority picks off infantry and the bikes lie in wait to contest/claim. I imagine your plan is actually a lot more complicated than that and I know that I have a lot to learn. How would you recommend that I study up, besides just bothering you folks here?
Also, thank you for the advice, Rob. I don't know why, but footslogging armies appeal to me more, in general I have no problem taking vehicles, but I guess I like the look of units more. That being said, I do understand the need for mobility and I love my units that have it, so I will start looking for ways to get more of it, very likely.

Edit: I don't know how I missed that the blade on the SS Exarch was two-handed, thank you, that makes a lot more sense now.

 

[Ragewind]

Not a bad inital assesment, lets work on breaking it down so you can see why everything is in the list.

To start off with, if i do not go first i deploy nothing in the fortress. This prevents it from being attacked, since you cannot target it unless occupied. This also holds true for the Bastion.

Can you tell me where i might place Maugan Ra and why?

Ignore the Tau units for now.

Pay attention to my signature when deciding your answer.

Edit: just a fyi if you want your artillery to move and shoot place a Tau commander with the stablazation upgrade into the squad. The whole unit will get SnP.