Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Night Shields

Here I present my ideas on Night Shields and why I think they are awesome for any vehicle that can take them.

So what does a night shield do? Quite simply it reduces your opponents weapons range by 6” not bad at first glance, but also consider that as well as reducing the weapons maximum range it also reduces rapid fire range (to 6”) and associated ranges like half range for melta (for example a meltagun becomes range 6” and 3” half distance for melta) this can make a big difference.

Applications of Night Shields are in protecting your weakly armoured vehicles (which are routinely threatened by infantry weapons) this works in three main ways; Long Range; Short Range; and Psychological.

Long Range - this is the most obvious application reducing your opponents range by 6” leaves opponents guessing at ranges they are unfamiliar with 36 becomes 30 and 48 becomes 42. Night shields do not effect your own weapons allowing you to sit at 31-36” and be 100% effective whereas an opponent with similar weapon ranges (a chimera being the obvious example) has to move to get within range cutting it’s firepower considerably (especially in the case of a chimera with embarked troops). Against 48” range weapons you can employ oblique attack angles with much more effectiveness (keeping distance from range 48” weapons whilst being within the firing range of your own weapons to your chosen target by coming in at an angle). To use these tactics effectively you have to get used to judging those aforementioned unfamiliar distances (which will serve you in good stead if you ever have to play against your fellow kabals).

Short Range - Here is where a lot of people (including myself at first) say that night shields are worthless this is completely untrue if anything they are more useful and easier to make effective use of at closer range. Against armies employing rapid fire weapons night shields are awesome you can use a variety of tricks to get close to enemy units and set up assaults from your vehicle. For example moving to within 18” of chosen unit whilst staying out of line of sight of all or the majority of a unit (turbo boosting into this position makes this a much safer option). Your opponent can take a small number of shots or can move in an attempt to get more shots, remember as soon as he moves he is forced into rapid fire which thanks to night shields is 6” , most of the time your opponent won’t have all his unit within range if any plus by moving closer he hampers any blast weapons he may consider throwing your way. By moving closer he also opens himself up to assault whether or not he destroys your vehicle. Against 24” weapons sit at 20” if he attempts to fire then next turn you have an easy assault (12” move 2” disembark 1-6” fleet and 6” charge).

Psychological - From the first time your opponent starts firing at your vehicles ask your opponents the range of their weapons even if you know(planting the seed) have them measure if there is any doubt. This effects your opponents game plan nobody likes declaring a shot to find they are out of range and by planting the seed your opponent will move when he doesn’t need to and not shoot at units he is unsure of being able to shoot. Every time he attempts to make a shot and fails your seed grows and his frustration and indecisiveness grows making it more likely he’ll make mistakes.

In conclusion night shield are a very effective defensive asset and psychological weapon in the Dark Eldar armoury.

I always take nightshields when I have the points for them. A ravager with a nightshield is both frustrating and threatening to any opponent. This review is awesome.

It is not that great vs some armies eather because they have a range of 48" or because they already has a really short range like 18" or 24".

Firstly I agree night shields are an almost mandatory selection but I feel you are over confident in them.

You have at best AV11 ... reducing melta range is good but doesn't negate the fact that you can still be crippled by it.

Dark lances are now range 36" so to use them you must bring you're unit within range of most units anti tank (which for the most part is 48" or more).

... If your opponent knows what they're doing the night shield is just a nuisance.

against marines or guard they usually have the range to hit with most of their AT. NS save you from stray bolters and meltaguns. Never in melta range is nice, but making meltas 6" is huge. Especially when people are deep striking.

The true use of NS are against Xenos and GK. Orks suffer disproportionately as most of their weapons are 24" Eldar also sometimes take lots of short ranged weapons.

night shields on the ravagers maybe but anything else no.