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I have recently decided to start a new army, that being dark eldar. I have always liked the backstory, and recently discovered some of the cooler models in the range. Also, I want to start an army that none of my friends have, which ruled out everything but dark eldar. I don't have the codex yet, although in a few weeks I will be going to the US and will be able to aquire as much as I can towards the army. I don't know how much money I will have when I leave, but assume that I will have enough for at least of 500 pt army. Any suggestions on the list, and other things I should consider for the future would be appreciated.

Well this may or may not be a good time to start DE since they are due a new codex within the year.

Their strong areas are tons of very cheap dark lances on their basic troops choice and decent CC troops in the Wiches.

Add some transports with dark lances and you have the core of you force.

I don't know the wargear well enough to describe HQ's or even how to outfit the Wiches but I know the above statements are accurate.

even if the new codex is due out this year, I would rather try to pick up a basic force while I am on holidays because warhammer is way cheaper in the states than in canada. For example, a dark eldar battleforce costs 130 in a canadian store, but around 90 in a us store. For this reason, I would like to get the more expensive elements of my force for less than I could at home.

As the list currently stands only a few units are worth getting. I would focus on getting an archon with punisher, some wyches (about 6-8 per squads), 3 ravagers, alot of dark eldar warriors (including a few with dark lances and blasters), and as many raiders as you can get your hands on (most competitive lists have 3 ravagers and 7-9 raider borne squads of wyches and warriors).

thats what i was thinking of doing. The raiders in canada are 45 dollars apeice, and i was hoping to save some money on them because i need so many. Other than that, is their any suggestions that people could give me on starter armies for the DE because i would like to get back from holidays and be able to build a battle ready force.

2x ravager with disintegrators nightshields
2x raider squad dark lance nightshields
archon with agoniser shadowfield

approx:500 points

with this army, what are the specific points costs. Also, is this an effective force. I just need to know so that I can start formulating tactics

The army listed is actually VERY effective at 500 points and makes a good starter to build from. However, due to Intellectual Property Laws we are unable to list specific points costs. Suffice to say, 2 ravager box sets, 2 raider box set, a box of warriors, and a archon blister (maybe a warrior with blaster or darklance blister as well.)

Oh and make sure where ever your going stocks Dark Eldar as many LGS do not.

Archon @ 111 points
shadow field, agoniser, frag and plasma grenades

Raider Squad @120
4x splinter rifle, dark lance,
raider dark lance nightshields

Raider Squad @120
4x splinter rifle, dark lance,
raider dark lance nightshields

Ravager @ 140
disintegrators x3, nightshields.

Total: 491 Points

Many stores dont carry Dark Eldar like gardeth said. Maybe it would be easier if you ordered it online. But this list is really good at 500 pts. Your putting out a lot of ap2 shots in one round of shooting. At this points level many people cant handle it.

alright. I would assume that the main tactics for this force includes rushing forwards with the archon attached to a unit, as well as the ravagers and the other unit of warriors to capture objectives and generally raise hell. Also, does anyone know if any games workshops around seattle sell dark eldar?

Julnlecs wrote:Archon @ 111 points
shadow field, agoniser, frag and plasma grenades

Raider Squad @120
4x splinter rifle, dark lance,
raider dark lance nightshields

Raider Squad @120
4x splinter rifle, dark lance,
raider dark lance nightshields

Ravager @ 140
disintegrators x3, nightshields.

Total: 491 Points

Looks quite good.
Raider squads can handle tanks (if any at the 500 pt level) while the Ravager can take on MEQ or Termies.

When I expand the army, I would assume another raider squad would be good to have, but what about jetbikes? Are they any good if you have a decent sized unit? I was wondering because it would mean I could get the dark eldar battleforce, a raider, a ravager and the archon, and then have enough warriors to make 2 more raider squads, as well as the bikes


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Another quick question about the models. If I am going with the 500pt list given by Julnlecs, what does the archon look like? Can I use the standard model for the archon, because my conversion skills are limited

The standard metal Archon model has an Agoniser and you can easily justify the grenades and shadowfield (to be honest I've never tried to WYSIWIG a Shadowfield, I just say which unit it's on. I've yet to have any confusion or questions there. As a note, DE don't have frag grenades (plasma is our frag) so he might have meant haywire grenades.

Jetbikes are good, especially if you have a Jetbike HQ to pair them with. If you're just starting out and playing low point games you'll probably do just as well to give them a pass for a while.

That said, probably your most economical option is to get the battleforce (and you can join the legion of DE players puzzling out what to do with our trees). It's hardly bad to have some bikes as an option - I just wouldn't use them in a 500 point game.

Edit: Also, if your modeling skills are sub par you would also want to hunt down one of the blister packs of metal Dark Eldar Warriors w/Dark Lance - the basic Warriors only come with options for Splinter Cannons.

Regards,
Thor.

Thats one of the things I was thinking of doing (with regard to the DL warriors) I was considering getting as much stuff as I could while I could get it for cheap, and then order what I still needed from the canada website (as a bonus i get a free model and free shipping!) Other than that I was wondering where I should go after the 500 point army. As stated by previous posts, jetbikes are okay if they have a hero to lead them, and I was also considering more raider squads, wyches in raiders, and ravagers. Any further advice would be appreciated.

Well, I never had luck with my (full) Jetbike unit. So it hits the shelf. I prefer a small unit of Hellions with a blaster. Its fun to play bot also not very effective.
The DE fast attack section has not much to offer.

well i'll try them out anyway seeing as I am getting the battleforce, and when it all boils down, its just another unit for the apocalypse evil alliance. CSM, Orks, Dark Eldar, and for some reason chaos squats... The most feared alliance of all time!!!! except for every other alliance....ever

Good luck with your new army. It is a blast to play dark eldar. Just make sure to buy a bunch of raiders.