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Like many on the forums, I am tweaking my list and searching for answers.

I'm going to run a 2500 HE list and this is what I have so far....

Archmage, level 4 - Not sure on magic kit but looking to max him out at 360

Noble - BSB, Dragon armour, lance, barded steed... likely the battle banner unless there is a better option out there - 216 points

Mage - level 2, seerstaff and a dispel scroll - 185 points

Spearmen x 20 w/full command - 205
Spearmen x 20 w/full command - 205
Archers x 20 - 220

Core - 630

Phoenix Guard x 20 w/full command - 380
Banner of Sorcery

Swordmasters x 15 w/full command - 280
Banner of arcane protection

Dragon Princes x 5 w/musc & banner - 180

Bolt throwers x 2 - 200

That puts me around 2430.
What do you think in terms of setup? Would running a block of 20 phoenix guard (the General is here) be wise?
I hear alot of people saying to drop bolt throwers now.... should i get rid of them?

Are there any good magic item setups for the archmage and the mage?

Any help would be great. Thanks!

One point to make - Dispel scrolls now count against your Arcane Items limit - you can't have both Seerstaff and Dispel scroll.

Recommendations -
The overall list doesn't look too bad, though if it were up to me, I think I would ditch banner in the DP unit and bump them up to 6 strong instead (+10 points for the unit, but 1 more wound and potential for 2-3 more hits in combat).

I would personally drop the archers in favor of buffing up the Spearelf units to 30 each, but that's a matter of preference at the moment (haven't had too much experience quite yet with 8th). If you could fit the Warbanner in one of the units of Spearelves, they'll get a nice buff.

RBT's aren't quite as good as they used to be, IMO. Eagles, on the other hand, got a decent boost and work quite well as warmachine hunters (not so good as a march-blocker/redirector now, though). Personally, I would drop one of the Bolthrowers in favor of 2 Eagles (warmachines, especially stone throwers, are quite nasty now. You will want them taken out as quickly as possible). I still think 1 is nice to have, if only to have some semi-reliable shooting in the army.

Magic setup:
A lvl4 with the Book of Hoeth is a pretty solid choice. If you take Lore of Life and get off Throne of Vines, you can effectively throw 5-6 dice per spell without too much concern about miscasting, and still very likely to cast everything with Irresistible Force. Still, it leaves your Archmage completely defenseless.

I'm enjoying having a lvl2 with Silver Wand and Ring of Fury. A power level 3 bound spell that gives you 2d6 S4 magic missiles is fairly potent, and just enough to usually force your opponent to waste 1-2 Dispel Dice on. Knowing that 3rd spell can be pretty nice, though not necessary.

Consider using Seaguard in Horde formation of 30 or more.

At 30 count you have 25 shots (+5 per additional Rank). And they have all 30 first striking with spears when charged. Shield is optional especially since they have to use their spears in Close Combat.

This gives you the shooting of Archers and Spear defense of Spearmen in one unit.

Agreed on Seaguard in horde. However, I would do 40. 10x4. With this, you can take advantage of fighting in 4 ranks (2 base, Spears = 3, Horde = 4).

Pheonix Guard are Solid. I say keep them.

I would consider finding room for White Lions. More great weapons striking first, and durable v shooting.

Thanks for the advice all....

I was looking at the book of hoeth, and with the extra dice it does sound nice. Good to know about the seerstaff and the scroll. I'll have to look up new magic setups.

The eagle I'm assuming got thunderstomp and thats the boost?

Eagles only have the regular Stomp (so only 1 Hit)

Seaguard attack in 4 anyways so you dont have to have it horde.

Seaguard have 2 ranks for spears + 1 rank for martial prowess...
+1 for horde now i think...

Seaguard have 2 ranks for spears +1 for martial prowess +1 supporting attacks.......+1 for horde. So up to 5 ranks in horde formation. But if you are taking 30, just rank them up as usual and you will still get the four ranks or attacks.