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I'm tossing up between using Eldrad, Fuegen, Farseer with fortune or guide, and the Avatar as my HQ choices in a list that's heavy on wraithguard, fire dragons, and wraithlords. I'm not certain which would perform the best.

Eldrad, bar none. He buffs the army in so many essential ways, and he's so cheap points-wise.

Avatar, definitely. He has the special rule of making other armies' HQ (especially special characters) look good.

Is the avatar a must-have in every competitive list? Or is running other characters for support a better idea?

Generally the Avatar or a second Farseer is a good choice, it depends on you list really. If full mech, the Avatar is not such a great idea as it will be left behind. Most of the Pheonix Lords are overpriced for what they do as well leaving the option as usually an Autach or second Farseer.

Eldrad, dependent upon points limit.

Avatar ONLY if you are running enough points to also safely take Eldrad as first HQ and its a foot list, as he will be left behind and give your opponent a free kill point when their mobile units run rings around it and kill it from afar.

Eldrad. Because he annoys many people.

Without question Eldrad. Then prince Yuriel. If your running competitive Eldar those are the only 2 HQs you should take. You should take both of them as your HQs and nothing else.

Eldrad.

Eldrad and Avatar, I've heard. So good. I personally like autarchs with the army all coming in at once from his abilities though.

My personal opinions:

Farseer: Absolutely amazing. Always take 1, or even 2. Possibly upgrade to Eldrad if you have the points.
Eldrad: Even better than a Farseer. But, expensive. A must have at 2000+ points. Avoid if below 1500.

Autarch: Meh. Okay, but not all that great. Take if you like reserving.
Yriel: Better than an Autarch, but still not great.

Avatar: Fun unit, but avoid in any competitive list. Is amazing in a foot slogging list.

Every Phoenix Lord: Paint them up all nice and pretty, then ask your opponent if you can use them as a counts-as Exarch. Otherwise, put them on your shelf to look cool.

Omegus wrote:Avatar, definitely. He has the special rule of making other armies' HQ (especially special characters) look good.

Haha, okay that made me laugh

But yeah, it's like Eldrad was designed to be the greatest Eldar farseer in the Elder Codex...

Eldrad, second farseer if you want 2 HQ's... the psykers really make or break the Eldar.