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I was browsing through my De dex and was thinking that reavers are a bit weak.  I've only used them twice myself.  Though it seems to me that for 25 points you're not getting much for your buck. 

They aren't particularly good at shooting, unless you give them blasters and have several juicy armoured targets.  And despite the fact that they are a sect of the wytch cult they aren't particularly good in combat either. 

I see why GW tryed hard to make a some clear differences between Eldar and Dark Eldar bikes, but it seems to me the DE were a bit short changed.  Granted the reduced cost in the 2nd ed dex was nice, but even as a skirmish unit they don't do too well with low strength weaponry and the lower armour save which can make a big difference even when turbo boosting. 

Now to end my rant and present my idea, which I don't think is particularly radical or unbalanced and is fluffy.  I think that giving reavers the hit and run ability would greatly improve their viability in any DE list and is flavourful for the sort blitz krieg tactics they seem to embody.  It would also be nice to see an extra attack, though this is secondary to hit and run and I'd be willing to pay an extra 3-5 pts per model for the upgrade.

They shouldln't pay any points for that upgrade.

Reavers were pointed for the fact that they had turbo-boost.

Now that all other bikes gained turbo-boost for free, Reavers are now over-costed (in comparison to other bikes) for what they can do.

Hit-and-run would be a nice ability to give them.

This was one of the many ideas the online community sent in a letter to GW.  Also, it was thought that the RJB wargear was pricey and it might give you added armor save.  Unless of course reavers just have a 4+ instead of all wyches that have a 6+, or 5+ if on a board.

But dont you get drugs while your on the bikes?? and isnt one of the options is hit and run I cant remember dont my my dex in front of me?

No, as a matter of fact the drugs were toned down with Crazed replacing 12" assault.

The drugs have +1 attack, +1 str, Re-reroll misses, always strike first, +1 WS, and either assualt 12" or crazed.

Crazed negates hit and run for Hellions, so if RJB's got hit and run, then crazed nerfs that.  The drugs are such a small factor, and for all the options Wyches have, Hellions and RJB's get next to none.  Even a splinter cannon upgrade for 1 would be nice.  A succubi on a RJB is VERY expensive for minimum gain.

Most DE players either do a few RJB's and 2 blasters, or kit out an Archon and maybe a succubus with a larger squad for assault.  But, without a character even the succubus fails to have much punch to help them win an assault.

While RJB's do get drugs, they are considerably over costed for what they get. As previously said, everyone and their brother gets turbo boost for free, along with being cheaper options in 4th ed.

By that quota, RJB's are very overcosted.

For less than 25 points each, they should be able to have drugs, hit & run and eldar jetbikes if they remain an FA choice. Possibly even an extra attack for the spiky bits, like chaos has.

Lets compare eldar jetbikes to one another. (Minus equals disadvantage, plus means advantage, equal sign means equal)

Eldar Jetbike:

can turboboost (like all bikes now) + (because they dont pay for this ability)
increased toughness (like all bikes) =
cheaper base cost +
BS of 3 -
STR of 3 -
3+ save +
has eldar jet bike rule +
can upgrade 1/3 bikes to have shuricannon - (While Eldar can get more weapons in the squad, I feel DE have the advantage because of not being contingent on squad numbers for number of weapons)
 str 4 guns +
has twin linked guns +
AP 5 =
Range of 12" -
Assault 2 +
cheaper character, who is potentially more effective with free upgrades and cheap upgrades +
character can use psychic abilities +
character has access to a lesser number of upgrades -
can take a warlock on a jetbike in the squad +





Reaver Jetbike:

can turboboost (like all bikes now) - (because they do have to pay for this)
increased toughness (like all bikes now) =
more expensive base cost -
increased str to 4 +
BS of 4 +
4+ save -
str 3 guns -
AP5 =
does not have twin linked weapons -
range of 24 inches +
Rapid fire -
can upgrade two weapons in squad to two different weapons, no matter how many models + (I feel DE have the advantage here)
more expensive character who is potentially less effective with more expensive upgrades. -
character cannot use psychic abilities. -
character has access to a greater number of upgrades +
combat drugs +


Taking all the pluses and minuses and averaging them we have:
Eldar bonuses = 5
Dark eldar bonuses = -2

It is apparent to me that even though the DE do have nice bonuses, it is clearly overcosted when in direct comparison to their closest kin whom I feel it is quite fair to compare them to.

Good breakdown Hellfury.

I think that the only major things that should change is hit and run and adding a splinter cannon upgrade option.  Spiky bits would be cool and make them a more dedicated assault unit, which seems to be the intention.

Those 3 things would make the 25 points worthwhile.  At this time, I play atleast once a week, and Reavers are only filler, and I usually just tank hunt with 2 blasters. 

The fast attack that DE have are sad and not an OMG I have to take them.  2 Choices and neither fits a "FAST ATTACK" role very well.  I hope and pray the new codex is much improved and takes into consideration some of the above changes.

when i used them i took only nine of them three units of three and each unit had a blasters which were moblie anti tank units( since blasters dont follow the lance rule as a lance)
as i understand it.

Blasters are mini short ranged Dark Lances.  They treat armor above 12 as 12.  They do not have lance in their name, but do follow the same rule.