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**Stoopkid**

Hello everyone!

So, I got in to 40k a while back through a couple of my friends. I've just now made a purchase of a few Dark Eldar models to get myself started. (I also got the core rulebook and the newest DE codex)

I got 2 Kabalite Warriors, 1 Wyches, 2 Hellions, 1 Raider, and 1 Archon.

I'd like to know the basic rules of Warhammer and the Dark Eldar without having to skim the whole entire book, and I was hoping someone would be able to help me out. What does a newbie like me need to know? How do Pain Tokens work? Etc...

Thank you

**Footsloggin**

First off welcome to Dakka!

Second, I'd suggest you read through your Codex, this way you gain a simple grasp over your army, the thing is pretty dang interesting! Take a look at it once or twice a day if you can,read a unit, and figure out it if it has a place in an army you would want.

As for rules, I personally only know a few offhand, however, we have the Assault on Black Reach mini-rulebook on hand. So we consult that when I discrepancy comes up.

Dark Eldar and Eldar alike are fast armies, being able to outmaneuver and speed around many armies with ease. Playing your armies strengths while covering its weaknesses with what you have is generally a good concept.

**jdjamesdean@mail.com**

Easiest way is through experience, if you have people available that know the game well and can walk you through the basics, you'll pick up fast.

Also watching a couple games and asking questions will help tons

check rules for skimmers, open topped, feel no pain, anything that pops out in your codex trust me it'll help

**MechaEmperor7000**

Basic rule of thumb is buy what you like the look of. GW does a pretty good job of conveying what each unit can theoretically do just by the look of them. Just note that DE is a hard army to start off, due to their glass cannon status, so get used to failing alot or not getting any saves. And learn which targets are high priority and what units are good to take them out, since each unit in your army will have a certain purpose to fulfill (moreso than other armies).

**ChrisWWII**

The Dark Eldar are perhaps the biggest glass cannon in 40k right now. They can dish out pain, but oh can they not take it. DE units are a bit less specialized than your Eldar forces, but each one does still have a role to play in the army. Remember, use your speed as an advantage. Try to dash between cover to avoid taking too much damage from shooty armies like the IG or Marines, and try to use your speed to keep one step ahead of CC armies like Orks or Tyranids.

Remember, you will have the spped advantage, and that means you have the initiative. Use that to your advantage. E.g. Against a slow army like the IG. You know you can't out shoot them, but you also know they're slow. Use that. COncentrate your forces on small local concentrations where you can overpower them, and then move on to the next. Don't try and take on armies head on...nibble them down till they can't fight anymore.

As Dark Eldar especially that will be very useful. You'll be getting pain tokens from taking out small isolated squads, so by the time it comes to charge the big guns? You'll be strong enough to take them on.

**MechaEmperor7000**

Think Alpha Strike. You must shoot first and punch first, regardless of the possible consequences.

**Gorechild**

The very back of the codex has a nice little section called "Conquering real space for beginers", Read that and the page at the start of the army list (where it explains combat drugs and Power from pain) it will give you a decent overview of the army.
Then (I know it's alot for a beginner) read the rule book cover to cover. You won't remeber it all but it should give you enough to be able to play a game with somebody without feeling like an utter noob. If you are playing with any sort of nice person they will help you with the rest.

**Nungunz**

Stoopkid wrote:

I'd like to know the basic rules of Warhammer and the Dark Eldar without having to skim the whole entire book, and I was hoping someone would be able to help me out. What does a newbie like me need to know? How do Pain Tokens work? Etc...

Thank you

Can't learn the game if you don't read the rules. Also we can't tell you any specific rules because it's illegal to do so and GW is anal about its intellectual property.

Step 1: Read the rulebook
Step 2: Read the rulebook again
Step 3: Read the rulebook a third time
Step 4: Read your codex
Step 5: Read your codex again
Step 6: Read your codex a third time

Other than that, you can always play some intro games with people that know the system. But the first 6 steps are pretty much required. If you plan on being a competitive/tournament player, read the rulebook even more and read every codex 4-5 times and build lists from each codex several times to understand them.

Sorry, to sound preachy.

**Stoopkid**

Thank you for all of your replies, you have been very helpful!

@Nungunz
You're telling me it is illegal for you to explain rules? That's insane, haha.

I looked through the codex and rulebook and couldn't find a very clear definition of how pain tokens work. :(

**MechaEmperor7000**

there's a fine line between explaining and outright stating it, and GW is very anal about that line. We just like to keep as far away as possible unless forced into it (like in some heated arguments in YMDC). The more you play though, the more important it is to remember the rules. Alot of people tend to be rule-lawyers and will make you conform to the word-for-word ruling of it, most of the time despite common sense (and even GW themselves, as the case with FAQs) saying otherwise.

EDIT: I just skimmed the DE codex, but from what I understand basically whenever the DE kills off an entire squad (or a unit of only one model, like most monsters and Independant Characters who have NOT joined a unit) you recieve one pain token. The bonus seems to go to whichever squad dealt the killing blow (i.e: took off the last wound from the last model in the unit). Units accumulate Pain Tokens this way or through their own special rules (as listed in the relevant entry). When they have one or more pain tokens, they gain the appropriate Universal Special Rule (refer to the Core Rule Book on how to use them) and can use them whenever necessary.

**Stoopkid**

Interesting. So, you can't explain the workings of Pain Tokens to me? Can you tell me where to look in what rulebook?

**MechaEmperor7000**

The Universal Special Rule the Unit gains is in the aptly named Universal Special Rule section in the main 40k Rulebook. If you're having problems finding this section, refer to the index at the back of the book.

**Stoopkid**

Thank you