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Hello, hi and aye up.

So I've just been reading through Septembers WD, and there's a section on the AC. Under the Lhamaean, there's a line that say something along the lines of "a lhamaean need not even be in the same squad as your archon to prove her worth". I was under the impression that the AC had to stay attached to the Archon, has anyone else had this confirmed differently, or is it a WD error? Are there any other units (like honour guard) that are only available when a certain unit is taken, aren't IC's, but can act independantly of the main character?

I also wanted to start a discussion with everyone on your thoughts about the AC. I've heard a lot of people say that they're a naff unit / waste of points, and I want to know why? I worked out the other night that if you count each model as an upgrade directly to the archon they can make him / her úber powerful. Let's look at the lhamaean for instance: for a mere 10 points, I can give my archon 2x 2+ poisoned ranged attack with +1 wound (by this I mean that the lhamaean will take attacks away from the archon, by having enemy models attacking her instead of the archon). The same benefits can be said of all other models in the unit:

Working on minimum quantities as per the dex, your archon can have 12 base attacks and 8 wounds, 2x 2+ poisoned shots, 4x 4+ poisoned shots AND a template weapon that strikes at D6+1 strength / D6 AP. All for just 75 points of upgrades. Then add on any other special equipment that you're archon will take... certainly a unit for larger points games but it seems damned good to me. Oh, and these will all fit in a Venom.

Maxed out, s/he would have 32 attacks, 15 wounds, 3x 2+ poisoned shots, 12x 4+ poisoned shots, 2 of those wonderfully unpredictable template weapons + character upgrades. Sure you can't fit this lot in transport, but drop them out of a WWP and you're opponents in for a helluva surprise. Why? 'Coz no one feels this unit! And these are just baseline stats, ignoring any bonuses for charges, assault grenades, combat drugs etc etc etc.

Wdyt? Am I stark raving bonkers, or on to something?

I don't remember there being anything inicating that they were a retinue in the dex, but i don't have it on me.

kitch102 wrote: I was under the impression that the AC had to stay attached to the Archon,

The AC entry does not say that they form a unit with the Archon. You just need an Archon in the army to 'unlock' the AC.

Are there any other units (like honour guard) that are only available when a certain unit is taken, aren't IC's, but can act independantly of the main character?

Most codexes have a similar unit, these days. Tau and Black Templars are the only codexes that still have 'bodyguard' units that form a single unit with their owning IC.

I'll leave the tactical discussion to others...

That's interesting! It wasn't clear by how it wasn't mentioned... I just assumed that it had to be taken with the Archon - thanks

Just looking forward to the tactical discussion now

Interesting comment on Whats New Today:

'The Lhamaean on the other hand, carries around a veritable arsenal of lethal poisons and toxins with which to kill her foes. The great thing is, because she's not selfish, she shares them with the rest of the unit too, giving everyone even more powerful poisoned weapons.'


This could be a comprehension fail on the part of the What's New staff, but if not the Lhamean just got a mile more useful..

Hell yeah, and definitely worth the miniscule amount of points that she costs. I'm guessing that this is a mistake though, the 'dex just says "shares her poisons with the archon".

It could be construed that the Archon would share these out with his squads, but then we get in to a RAW / RAI debate...

Not sure on the tactics, but the Lhamaean is a pretty impressive model, I'd say the only bad point is probably the arms which seem a little oddly posed to me.
The Medusae on the other hand, now that is an awesome model, which I might get even though I dont play DE.

They're not my favorite models in the DE range, but they look pretty decent.

The Medusae changed my mind completely - originally (before I realised that you need 1 of each court model) I was going to leave the Medusae and Ur-Ghuls out altogether, but the Medusae is such a fantastic model that I will definitely be getting one.

I'll be having one of each model, as soon as I win the lottery