I've not been playing fantasy long but I've picked up a lot about the HE army (which I also play) - and have some words of wisdom (maybe!!)
Everything in the High Elf army is usable - but its all about synergy, and you need a bit of coordination and forward planning. The big weakness of High Elves is universal toughness 3, high points cost, generally rubbish armour on many units and a pretty bad core section compared to most other armies (with the exception of Silver Helms which are great). Strength 3 on the main infantry core units (archers, spears and LSG) is also really annoying since strength 3 in HtH is not where its at especially considering the high points cost of the models... Yes they have a high weapon skill and ASF, but you'll still be hitting with str 3 and your opponent will get unmodified armour saves... But, this can be dealt with using synergy and planning where possible...
Example: You could take a big block of LSGs (25+) and stick a noble BSB in with them (using the razor standard) and also a level 1 mage with the lore of beasts (and take the signiture spell). Suddenly with the right magic phase that block of LSG are strength 4 toughness 4 and armour piercing with the razor standard... Suddenly they are a threat, whereas before they were weak and not likely to kill much, even in strong numbers... Shooting or HtH is likely to be much more effective, and toughness 4 will negate their poor armour save.
Another synergy with the high elves could be to take one of the special units (swordmasters are an obvious one) and take a big block of them, bunkering a mage/archmage in with them with the lore of high magic. Then just keep spamming high magic spells to keep their ward save up giving them a good bit of protection while they carve up the enemy. That tactic works with any block of units, but is particualrly devastating with Swordmasters due to their 2 attacks and strength 5 hits. If you start giving them 5++ or 4++ ward saves as well they become monsterous!
So that's what I mean about synergy. Some of the HE units just don't work that great when taken 'by themselves' but when given the right combination of magic backup etc they can shine!
But anyway, to the list... In terms of composition generally speaking you'll be generally wanting to take a minimum of core and then spend the rest on special/rare units. The exception to this might be if you are building an entirely horseback army in which case lots of silver helms and some reavers are probably what you'd run with.
The real stand-out units in the high elf army are giant eagles (for chaff/getting in the way/redirecting), silver helms (for high armour / formidable charge / fast movement) and frostheart phoenixes (which are just badass)... Also phoenix guard are pretty solid for bunkering characters like mages in.
It really depends on what army you are playing against and what points limit. I'd say you probably always want to take the silver helms with you, as well as the swordmasters. You could run them in multiple small units, or perhaps a couple of bigger units (say 3x6). Ellyrion Reavers are good as redirectors - take them in minimum numbers with a musician. Forget the bows. They won't really be great for flanking since they only have light armour, no shields, and only spears (str 4 on the charge, str 3 afterwards). Leave hard flanking charges to the silver helms or dragon princes...
LSG are okay as a core, but they are expensive so if you are going to take them really try to think about buffs you can work into them to make them more effective as by themselves they will disappoint, also if you will take them have them in a decent size block so they won't have to take panic tests too early and get steadfast when appropiate.
The RBT is okay, but its really weak (2 wounds) and quite costly - I'd rather have an eagle.
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