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Well all rumors say the Dark Eldar will get a codex before the Inquisition, Lost and Damned or Adeptus Mech.

So if it's inevitable how can GW make them better and more in line with their background?

One thing is to lower their strength and toughness to 2. Looking at the models against a S3 Catachan or Ork they're laughably thin and weedy. S1 TY2 might be more appropriate but would probably be a bit too underpowered for some GT players.

Splinter rifles should also be shifted down to S2 since their barrels are markedly thinner than S3 lasguns. This would make the DE a unique army in 40k and something more than just Eldar with spikes.

Spikes are another issue, many people suggested that since DE are positively covered in razor blades they should get an additional attack just as the kroot get one for a little spike on the end of their guns. This can be balanced by a rule that on a roll of 1 to hit they cut themselves and die.

Their vehicles should also get a look. While AV10 trukks and sentinals have sides and offer some protection for the crews the raider is just a flat platform with no protection for the crew or passengers. therefore AV9 would make more sense.

Finally point values need a close look. As a rare and dying race DE warriors should be rare and expensive, not something you spend freely. 12-14 points each will force DE players to guard their dwindling numbers in a more realistic way.

I think with these changes DE would be more in line with established fluff that a Space Marine, a clerk and a dog are enough to wipe out an entire shipload of the them.

What can I say I just read the Iron Snakes story.

The Marine had loaded dice, that's all.

How about:

WS5 BS4 S2 T3 I4 A1 ld7 5+/6++

And they get Preferred Enemy: everything. Except themselves. Wyches get S3 ld8 but lose weapon options.

Keep the Splinter Rifle how it is, just because. Or else give the S3 a Re-roll to wound. I do not think it is necessary to make it Assault. One thing you could do is give everything +2 attacks on the charge because they are just THAT EVIL. Or maybe they only get the Preferred Enemy on the charge. To make up for not being able to shoot.

I like the idea of S2. T2 is a bit much, I think. That is Gretchin and Skink territory.

Other option, squad upgrades. So they can be S3 with Spikes but they get the Splinter Rifle. A different upgrade makes them S2 but they get say a Splinter Catapult: S3 Assault2 18".

One thing to keep in mind, is that the basic DE Warrior is basically all they 'get'. Traditionally. Right now, Guardians vs DE. They are both 8 points but:

Guardians, armed with Shuiken Catapults
WS3 BS3 S3 T3 I4 A1 Ld8 5+

Dark Eldar Warrior, armed with Splinter Rifles
WS4 BS4 S3 T3 I4 A1 Ld8 5+

So they get a gun that is arguably say 1.5 times better, being Rapid Fire, BS4 and S3. Guardians get the Shuriken Catapult. Which is good in its way but the Dark Eldar one is still BS4. But then Guardians are backed up by superior support, including HQ.

Note that they made a Fluff piece where they described the Spinter Rifles as being "just the way they liked it." Because it was designed to cause PAIN rather than actually killing anything. Kind of the opposite of a Boltgun. So when I think of that I think of something like S2 Living Ammunition. So good against infantry, but it is not going to help you shoot down a Land Speeder.

======
Now having re-read your (that would be KK, God of Dakka) original mesage. Raiders are open topped Skimmers so AV10 open-topped is fine I think. AV9 is more like a Ford Truck or a Limo. I mean Raiders can survive the Warp.

err, Taco - not taking anything away from your ideas, but you know this is a joke thread, right?

what! no way. Crap I wasn't listening.



I either spend too much time here, or not enough.

To keep them more in line with the art style presented GW should just go all the way with the power rangers villain theme. I want t see putty troopers, robots, and giant robots that get huge when they are first defeated.

damn you draednote, thwarting our plans for a bit of a laugh

damn you Dreadnote!!!,

thwarting our plans for a bit of a laugh

Kid_Kyoto wrote:I think with these changes DE would be more in line with established fluff that a Space Marine, a clerk and a dog are enough to wipe out an entire shipload of the them.

Um, you don't need the Marine or the dog.

All you need is the clerk...

... as long as that clerk is the guy at GW in charge of Games Development scheduling, he can keep DE effectively "dead" forever!

Ha ha ha...

In the dark future, there are only scheduling delays......

JohnHwangDD wrote:
Um, you don't need the Marine or the dog.

All you need is the clerk...

... as long as that clerk is the guy at GW in charge of Games Development scheduling, he can keep DE effectively "dead" forever!

Wow that does bring a whole new level of symbolism to Abnett's story. So the clerk is the (wise and benevolent) bean counter keeping the DE off the schedule. The marine is MEq dominenance.

What's the dog?

@KK:

Sometimes, a dog is just a dog...

If DE are going to be more online with their background will we get Codex DE: Orgies soon? Not that I´m really interested but if we do I´ll order a couple minis just for... painting

M.

Haha. On a more serious note: Here are some changes -I- would make:

Army specific characteristics:

1. DE are masters of causing terror and as such are desensitized to an extent that the horrors of battle are mundane to them. As a result, all non-fearless DE models always make Leadership based tests at base leadership. This will help get around their typical unboostable Ld8

2. All infantry models in the DE army other than the Talos and Grotesques have the option to fleet of foot.

3. Any DE skimmer models, jetbikes, jump packs or skyboard mounted models may outflank.

4. Strength of Tyranny - DE cabals/raiding parties are only held together through the strength of their leaders. When the model with the highest leadership is removed as a casualty, all DE models (including fearless models) must make an immediate leadership check against the model with the next highest leadership. If this check is failed, that unit is removed as casualties (as they immediately desert from the battle). If two (or more) models have the same leadership, one is nominated as the Cabal leader at the start of the battle.

Changes to specific units:

Mandrakes: Give poisoned weapons, move to troops. Give squad commander upgrade, and access to the armory.

Incubi: Need own entry in elites. If included as a retinue for an HQ, instead of taking the "Strength of Tyranny" check upon death of the HQ, they get perferred enemy instead.

Wyches: Perferred enemy (everyone), rending, 4+(I) dodge save in HTH.

Helions: Give additional attacks, hit and run.

Talos: 2D3 attacks instead of D6.

Scourges: Give option for special weapons.