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ive been playing for a while now but as most of my games are against guard and tau ive never really had the need for an assault unit. however after playing a couple of games at my local store (for once), ive come to release that i need some form of counter-attack (this occured mainly because of a particularly nasty unit of outflanking genestealers).

firstly id rather not use harlies for no particular reason other than i dont want to, which leaves me with two options scorpions or banshees, but which?

now im sure we all know the story; banshees are good against guys with high sv's (providing the unit is doomed), scorps good against tons of light infantry, so please refrain stating that (ive had quite enough of hearing it while "googling" the subject). what i am looking for is a unit that isnt bad at taking on both types in a counter-attack role. so i guess im asking something roughly along the lines of- which unit is more diverse (something eldar arent exactly famous for). are scorpions going to handle taking on MEQ's better than banshees tackling orks and gaunts?

Scorpions are much more survivable and much easier to deliver.

Could you get some "count as" harlies?
Because I think thats what you are looking for, (provided You make the assault, they could actually equal the genestealers).
Harlies can get 5 power weapon attacks at S4 from their master and a bunch of rending backup attacks (also at S4), with an overall A value to equal the scorpions.

Otherwise you seem to know the difference between scorps and banshees already. I would chose scorps against most opponents exept marines, and harlies if I have lots of points to spare


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The harlies is about the only unit that is somewhat allaround in the codex.
Also: Im sorry to bring up the harlies after you specificly said you didnt want them. I just wanted to make a point that they are probably what you would need (yes, they can even go up against mech with their fusion pistols, so...)

Scorpions = lots of S4 attacks that allow save, however equipping the Exarch with a claw(power fist) allows him to ignore saves at the cost of initiative, so you can still take on marines and the like. However if your mainly worried about stealers, the stealers will be going first anyway, so you'll loose alot of scorps to rending. Against stealers i'd go for banshees, the power weapons are wasted but the I10 should prove very usefull.

Although i'd agree with Fayric, some counts as harlies would be best.
They cost more points, but are harder to kill with shooting due to VoT and can get around quickly on foot due to their flip belts.
If charging stealers, they also attack first, with slightly more power (rending) than the scorps, they can also take on marines pretty nicely.

The Eldar Elite slot is Fire Dragons and Harlequins. Banshees and Scorpions are neither.

I saw the title and thought HALO, seriously though i say banshees.

Banshees fast and low!

I like Scorpions. Easier to deliver to the enemy, more durable and S4 means you're less reliant on your Farseer.

Neither can do anything useful, realistically.

Banshees require a far too easy to disrupt, overly expensive transport, and a stupid foe willing to set up your charge.

Scorpions can either use the above, or a different, but still stupid foe willing to set up your infiltrating charge.

Either way, they both can't do anything useful unless your opponent lets you.

Depending on the list, the set-up might not be so hard. He mentioned playing Guard and Tau, and if they mostly play their armies static, then there's not much issue with getting them INTO assault.

I personally use Scorpions and have had mixed success with them. The one thing they've always done is survive - never had a unit fall back or get wiped out in around 4 or 5 games with Eldar. If you want survivability, nothing beats Scorpions, and I also like them because they glance vehicles without having to buy a Harlequin's Kiss.

Striking Scorpions versus Howling Banshees, Ten men, Exarch with Executioner/Scorpion Claw, Charging, against GEQ (MEQ)
Scorpions- 12.89 (5.22) Kills
Banshees-10.67 (5.83) Kills

with Fortune
Scorpions-16.81 (7.09) Kills
Banshees-15.44 (9.28) Kills
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I'd probably side with the Scorpions. Their increased toughness coupled with superior performance against GEQ's and passable performance against MEQ's make them, in my eyes, the superior all rounder choice. If Genestealers are really your problem, Banshees might be the better choice due to striking first, but I'd just reccomend shooting genestealers.

As said, the best is Harlequins.


But you can break down Banshees/Scorpions argument many ways but I prefer Scorpions.

Banshees
Pros: Fleet, Strike First, Power Weapons
Cons: Strength 3

Scorpions
Pros: Strength 4, Lots of Attacks, 3+ Save
Cons: No fleet, Only Exarch has power weapon

To me it is durability+number of attacks that make them good against both horde and MEQ units.

You dont want to assult genestealers you want to shoot them.

As far as an assult unit Shining Spears are the best in the Eldar Codex, they have an 18' assult range, and str 6 power weapons. A squad of 3 Shining Spears with an Autarch on a jetbike will whipe out any squad you need whiped out, and then dont forget they have the power to leave CC with an initiative check.

Seer Councils are also better, on Jetbike or not. A full council has re-rollable 4++ saves and 3 attacks that wound on a 2+. On Jetbikes these arnt even fair.

As far as Howling Banshees and Striking scorpians Id go with Howling Banshees with doom support. Their Init10 that ignores cover is insane, and with doom their power weapons are just nasty.

Honestly I dont think Banshees or Scorpians have their place in an eldar list, but thats just mho.

I think the best aspect to use greatly depends on your army. If I decide I want to use a counter charge unit, I generally look to balance out any weaknesses in my army. For example, I currently take loads of scatter lasers, which leaves me only a few guns to take out tanks let alone marines. For this reason, I'll take banshees. If however I'm running lots of wraithguard and fire dragons, I'll take scorpions.

Hope this helps.