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Ive never played against daemons and im looking for some tactical help. Im running a magic defense orientated DE list with lots of shooting. Ive got 4 deticated close combat units that can bring the pain. My main thing is whats the best route I should take to deal with them. Also I dont have a cauldron so thats kinda out of the question.

For a Dark Elves player like yourselves, shooting is the best answer against the Daemons of Chaos. Units like Shades can avoid combat while doing damage to the Daemons player.
Always remember, when you engage in combat, you aren't getting out until you slay them all, or you die. For that reason, it's best to avoid combat with any units that rely on breaking the enemy. War Hydra's will do pretty well in combat, due to their resilience.

Bring the Ring of Hotek.

Bring the Ring of Hotek.

Bring the Ring of Hotek.


Ok, got that out of the way. That takes care, or as far as you can take care, of magic from Daemons, or anyone else (still recommend a pair of scroll caddies to help out, but whatever).

Next up, Bolt throwers. You want as many of these as you can have. They kill Greater Daemons. Generally, those are the points, the general, the whole shebang. You can use dark riders to decoy the hounds, run rings around the infantry, but the Greater Daemons will mess you up. On average it takes 2 bolt thrower hits to score a wound, so every 3 shots at long range gives you one wound. Considering that they have a 5+ ward save (3+ for Kairos), you need to wound 4 times for your d3 wounds to kill. So you need 12 shots from bolt throwers. You can help out a bit with crossbow shots, but generally, you are getting this done with single shots from your bolt throwers. Should be doable in 3 rounds, (maybe 2 if they come to short range?).

Remember that Bolt Throwers don't need to be on a hill to shoot large targest, just put em along your board edge, space out just fine.

Next, unkillable Lord. Charge in, with a unit with some static res, and challenge the big scary. It won't do any wounds and you'll win. Note that if you are on a mount it'll just kill that and break you with terror. Make sure you are on a Cold One.

So that's what I'd suggest a small smattering of Black Guard and Cold One knights who hang out together, screened by Dark riders and protected by the Ring of Hotek, backed up with Bolt Throwers.

Thanks for the help. Thats basically what I was thinking about doing, more or less just turtleing up and harassing with my shades while I move my cold one knights and dreadlord up to del with any big nastis. The ring will be with my champion but i might put it with my master and drop the ring of darkness he is carrying. Havent decided quite yet.

if you know your opponent doesn't have a tzeentch spam (flaming magic and flamers) or greater daemon (BTs would be better as suggested earlier) then x2 hydras will really annoy him.