Howling Banshees

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**Dashofpepper**

So I was describing the close combat awesomeness that I'm trying to make with a Dark Eldar army to a friend of mine, and he told me that the effect I'm trying to create would be best served by playing Eldar, with the howling banshees. He went on to describe their dual-wielded power weapons, initiative 10 charges, and pure close combat ownage....

Why don't more people play Eldar? And when I do run into Eldar, they're not squads of howling banshees that I run into.

Input?

**starwoof**

Howling banshees have 1 attack (2 with the extra weapon) and strength three. When combined with Doom they aren't so bad, but they're still not amazing. That's what my local eldar players tell me anyway. I reckon these girls would ruin my day on a regular basis if I ever had to fight them!

**Mars.Techpriest**

Delivery is also a problem - they can't influltrate, don't have scout, and the eldar have no open-topped/assalt transports.

**0ldsk00l**

They have a big "shoot me first" banner they wave wherever they go. It gets hard to get them where they are needed without getting them killed.

I have had limited success with them in small throw-away units inside falcons as a countercharge unit. Good way to free-up my troops when they get caught in assault, or to punish someone who tries to get too close to my tanks in general.

**Old Man Ultramarine**

Mars.Techpriest wrote:Delivery is also a problem - they can't influltrate, don't have scout, and the eldar have no open-topped/assalt transports.

This is the true reason.

**Falconlance**

I think it would be safe to say that Harlequins are another reason you dont see banshees.

**Dashofpepper**

o.O I never even thought of delivery. Good point, thanks.

**dumplingman**

and the RAW for banshee masks entirely screws them over. If you are playing friendly games then use the RAI. if you are interested in what I'm talking about there is a long thread about it in YMDC forum.

Actually delivery isn't that much of a problem. Pop them in a Wave serpent, turbo boost it 24" then deploy them next turn. Remember if a non open topped vehicle doesn't before models disembark then they can in fact assault.

**EasyE**

Like most things eldar, extremely fragile. I find these girls either win me the game, or end up getting shot to bits. I love the models and would never think not to take them with me though. Transport is an absolute must.

I think Harlies are more similar to Scorpions than they are to Banshees role wise.

**Sliggoth**

Harlies are kind of a blend between scorps and banshees, with a few twists thrown in.

Only the leader can get a PW tho, the rest can only get rending. But they are fleet, and they actually are similar to how banshees used to operate in attacking into cover.

One other way that I would use a unit of banshees now would be to run them directly behind a unit of harlies, since the harlies with a shadowseer are semi bullet proof and would give the banshees a cover save.

Sliggoth

**EasyE**

Getting them rending costs 4 points a model, which makes them totally not worth the cost in my opinion.

**willydstyle**

Falconlance wrote:I think it would be safe to say that Harlequins are another reason you dont see banshees.

Dashofpepper wrote:o.O I never even thought of delivery. Good point, thanks.

I think many people balk at the concept of using a T3 model with a 4+ save that costs 16 points.

Couple this with the "delivery problem" is why you don't see them. They're too hard to consistently get into CC without getting shot up. Add in the fact that everyone's favorite CC units have invulnerable saves (nob bikers w/ cyborks...T5 ouch, TH/SS terminators, jetseer councils, etc), and you're looking at a pretty obsolete unit.

Then, when you look at Harlequins, who actually have a pretty reliable delivery method (Veil of Tears), combine the sheer number of attacks that scorpions have with rending to ignore armor, also have str 4 on the charge, good enough initiative to go first most of the time, and hit and run... and one unit is the clear winner, and it ain't the banshees.

**Squig_herder**

Heres my 2 cents:
I always run a squad of 7+ strong including exarch, usually equipping here with war shout and triskle [spelling?].

I hug cover.

Shooting with the triskle and then charging and use the consolidation to get back into cover.

Attacking only termies or other elite units. Also coupling with a farseer with doom/guide helps too.

My experience has always been good to outstanding. YMMV

**Exarch_Nektel**

The way I use banshees is with 10-man squad + CC autarch. I put them in a wave serpent and move them up the board. The next turn, the banshees disembark, move, fleet, and charge. One dead enemy squad. The banshees are now at the enemy line, so they can easily charge more units in subsequent turns (provided they are given enough covering fire to survive another turn).

They are usually my unit of the game.

**willydstyle**

Exarch_Nektel wrote:The way I use banshees is with 10-man squad + CC autarch. I put them in a wave serpent and move them up the board. The next turn, the banshees disembark, move, fleet, and charge. One dead enemy squad. The banshees are now at the enemy line, so they can easily charge more units in subsequent turns (provided they are given enough covering fire to survive another turn).

They are usually my unit of the game.

This only happens if your opponent can't actually kill the wave serpent. They're not as invulnerable as some players think.

**Exarch_Nektel**

True, true. But lets just make sure that the wave serpent is not the most dangerous thing on the field.

You're right in saying that, which is why you can't rely just on your banshees performing like you want them to.

I was just stating my strategy.
We all know that every plan is perfect until it meets the enemy.