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Here's how the story rolls....

I enjoy playing Dark Eldar. I like the background, I like the play style, and I like the rarity with which it's played. However, I want to be able to put down a warrior model without cringing. After holding back for a year, I've decided that come next year, I'm going to sell up all my current models, and run a converted army that 'counts as' Dark Eldar.

Now the Dark Eldar army contains many skimmers, so whatever army I choose needs to have the fluff fit the rules. As such, there are only a number of 'counts as' armies I can conceive of that would be capable of fielding skimmers. Here are the three I've come up with.

The first idea is some kind of Tzeentchian Guard/cultist army. Giant levitating disc platforms to represent the skimmers, cultists fit the wyches, and some kind of blood pact/renegade to fit the warriors.

The Second is an Adeptus Mechanicus force. It's not inconcievable that the Mars Adepts would have skimmer technology hidden away somewhere, and the whole 'advanced technology' argument can be used to justify most weapons and the like. They also have a number of things of their own like Electro-priests that can be used for other models like Incubi.

The third and final is an Exodite force. They're Eldar, so they undoubtably have the right to skimmer technology, only combined with Giant Lizards of some kind(as that seems to be the rule).

So my question to you Dakkaites, is which of these options you think fits the best. Or, if you have a better idea, suggest it! If I like it, I may well use it!

I know what you mean Ketara. The army and fluff is way cool. The models, not so much. I like the Raiders though and the Haemonculi and Archon and Incubi could be worst, model-wise. Still, I can see why you'd want to use 'counts as'.

One last comment before commenting on your question: how about using other models in stead of the DE Warriors/Wyches. I mean, the Dark Elves arent too bad and have nice and usable plastics. You could work with those and convert something convincing. Attack the Raiders with plasticard to have them match the nice new illustration of the Raider in the 5th edition rulesbook. It could work, but does require some planning and dedicated kitbashing.

As for your ideas. Im sold on the Tzeentch Cultist idea. Mainly because Chaos is forgiving. You can do so many cool things and call it Chaos and get away with it. The idea sounds perfect too. Use the CD Screamers as a base for the Raiders design! However, your conversion-fu must be strong to get away with it. Im a decent converter myself and I must say, it sounds like a daunting plan.

Hope you get it from the idea stage to the tabletop mate. Keep us posted of your decissions and progress if you will. It sounds great allready. If you choose the Tzeentch idea, Id be glad to help think of models to count as units in the DE codex. Great fun!

Cilithan

I don't think something as drastic as a full counts-as army is in order. I was contemplating doing a Dark Eldar army converted from Eldar and some other bitz. Not quite pure Dark Eldar, but more like fallen Eldar in stripped Waveserpents with sadistic Banshees and deranged Shining Spears.

Your idea sounds great though, and I'd love to see it in action. Just remember to get all the vehicles the same footprint.

I think the skimmers look fine, you could always just use guardsman with DE skimmers, maybe convert them out to be space pirates.

True enough the warriors look like gak (pure and simply)

Just an idea here (need someone with photoshop skills)
Use a black arc corsair model from the dark elves range with the arms and weapons from the dark eldar.
Not only should they fit fine, but they will look like dark eldar should

As far as a full army goes I think that the Tzeentchian theme is a really cool idea that would look great on a table top.

Currently I'm working on a dark Eldar wych cult consisting of Dark Elf Corsaires for wyches, just about every dark elf special character as a Succubus, Jain Zar as Lelith, converted deamonities as beastmasters, and chaos warhounds as warp beasts. I'm still trying to figure out what to use as warriors. However, as I'll only have about 5-15 warriors in the army I might just stick with the ugly models. Hmmmmm

I second the pirate force. You can still use the cool units like skimmers, bikers, and incubi while using converted guard for all the warriors and wyches. I've been toying with converting an army of these up for a long time. other projects just keep getting in the way

I've thought about making a Dark Eldar army out of regular Eldar figs. Dire Avengers for Warriors, with a Fire Dragon for the Blaster and a Dark Reaper with a Dark Lance. Use Banshees for Wytches, Striking Scorpions for Incubi. The hard part would be making Wave Serpents look suitably Open Topped.

You wouldn't have to replace EVERYTHING. Incubi are great models imo. I think the Lelith model is just fine. But I would definitely use converted Guardians as Warriors. Some blades to the helmets, a bayonet to the gun, and maybe some other spikes elsewhere and you got some nice Warriors. You could even substitute warrior arms so they have actual splinter rifles. Dire Avengers' helmets are too big imo. We're generally trying to get away from that look... Dark Reapers with Dark Lances is a great idea... Come to think of it, they'd make great DE Warriors too!

Yeah, that's right, it was Guardians as Warriors, with the squad leader (sucubi? ) as a Dire Avenger.

Warrior/Scourge Sybarite. Wyches, Jetbikes and Hellions are the ones that have Succubi.