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Hey all, been a long time since I've been to Dakka fair.

Recently having jumped on the bandwagon of Dark Eldar (I'm assuming there's a bandwagon, there usually is), I find myself wondering about the use of Mandrakes. What exactly are they good for? Their stats seem a bit underwhelming considering I can snag some Incubi in the same slot, which gives me a better armor save and a power weapon. Sure, they can infiltrate, but they just seem underpowered to me.

Now, I'm sure that I'm missing something here. I am not a tactical mastermind, by any means. Can someone who is somewhat experienced with the Mandrakes tell me what they've got going for them? I'd love to include them in my army if I can find a niche for them.

the awesome model! duh!

nah, i have no idea, but i have been wondering the same question. I have only glanced over the codex so can't really help, sorry :(

would love to hear some answers thou

Infiltrating with Stealth = 3+ cover save. Fleet gives them some okay mobility, and 5+ invul is useful in close combat. Get one pain token, and suddenly becomes way more badass.

I dunno. The only thing I can think of for them is infiltrate them in cover and hope to get them into close combat before they die.

They make an acceptable unit for a Portal-Haemonculus which can disembark from a Raider to join them, especially in light of the FAQd Stealth rules.

To pose and look all cool on the table... and get shot at.

Like others have said, stealth is decent... but their cost is far too high. If they could attach 2 hommys and still infiltrate, then the PfP s5 on the charge would start to get useful, but they cant so its a moot point.

The shooting attack is somewhat useful, but again getting PfP at the game start requires a hommy, which again negates their infiltrate, which makes them have to compare their s4 3 shots versus other units with splinter weapons in larger numbers... Splinter weapons routinely come out on top in number of shots per point of model.

I think mandrakes are a classic GW eff up, as the model screams 'Buy me!' and the rules scream 'Leave me alone!' The DE analog of the pyrovore in a sense.

They aren't that great. Infiltrate + stealth seems nice, so does fleet. But let's math hammer it Vs Marines:

Full 10 man squad = 30 attacks on the charge.
15 Hits
7.5 wounds
2.5 dead marines.

They strike back
Now at 7 models (round down)
7 normal attacks
3.5 hits
.7777 wound

Sarge w/ P fist
2 attacks
1 hit
1 wound
.666 dead

That's 2.5 Vs 1.4

Now that's assuming you infiltrated 18" away exactly. AND rolled a 6 for fleet. Otherwise I get to shoot you beforehand.

Assume we don't rapid fire because you're smart & only moved 5" closer.
10 Bolters (For simplicities sake I left out special weps)

6.666 bolter hits
4.444 bolter wounds
2.96 (3) dead mandrakes. 1.48 if you still have cover. So now you lose out on 3, 6 or 9 attacks & may end up losing the combat. They're just not very good without power weapons or more attacks.

Actually, you can't ever charge. You must deploy more than 18" away from the enemy.

Right, so take down at LEAST 1.48 mandrakes. Possibly more if you don't have turn 1. Point stands they aren't good for their points they need more.

Again, only take Mandrakes if you need an Infiiltrator (always useful), and can bring them a Haemonculus on Raider within the first turn. Ideally said Haemonculus has a Webway Portal now.

Mandraks are worth considering in competitive play unless there is some kind of one-trick pony we are not aware of.

Glad I wasn't missing any hidden tricks in the codex about them. They're about as worthless as I imagined.

I mean, honestly, why don't they at least have a power weapon OPTION? Or even an extra attack per model, or as an equivalent, two 'evil-looking' close combat weapons per model? It just seems GW went to a lot of trouble to hype them up in the codex as the perfect assassin, then gave them weaponry that's consistently worse than most other close-combat-dedicated troops out there.

I mean, even Wyches have a better save in close combat. It just boggles the mind.

Yup, sadly yet another model with rules that dont really reflect their fluff. Even their SC can get ID by mutlilasers and cant even assault after DS

What about having them come out of the webway with a haemonculi?

They'd start with the pain token that way, and could crank out that S4 AP4 18" range assault pinning shooting, all from the safety of 3+ cover saves.

-Matt

That doesn't seem like a bad way to use them, certainly, but they quickly become a case of 'Swooping Hawks'. When used in just one way, in just the right circumstances, they can be amazing. Otherwise...

Although honestly, I'm still going to pick up a pack and use them. Just because they're beautiful and I want to imagine them doing well.

...I don't play in many tournaments.

How about a unit of 3 for 45 points, just to infiltrate to where you're opponent wanted to be?

-Matt

Well, what would they accomplish? It's not like just three of them could actually put a dent in anything of value. They might chew up a little bit of a guard squad, seeing as they'll probably attack first, but even the guard can easily slaughter a squad of that size.

They'd screen against Imperial gunships Scouting a Denmovet unit next to your vehicles...