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Hi all, I just started my new Dark Eldar army and I'd like some input on where to go next. I haven't played them yet and I may be way off with my current plan, so any help will be appreciated!

Here's my current Dark Eldar list:

HQ
1 Haemonculus
Venom blade
[55 pts.]


Troops
10 Kabalite warriors
- 1x Splinter cannon
[100 pts.]

8 Wyches
- 8x Haywire grenades
- Raider (Dark lance, Flickerfield)
[166 pts.]


Fast Attack
3 Reaver Jetbikes
- 1x Heat lance
[78 pts.]


Total: 399 pts.


So far nothing special, I'm guessing . What I'm really interested in, is what to do for the next 600 points. I have a couple of ideas for what I would like to add, and what I want to leave out so here goes:
First I'd like to add a unit or two of 5 Wracks with liquifier (or 4 and Haemy) in a Venom (115 pts). I'd also like to add some more wyches/kabalites.
Now the biggest problem I'm going to have is that I really don't like Ravagers, and I'd like to avoid using them if possible. I know that they're the best Heavy option for DE out there, but I just think they look a bit boring.

So my current plan for expansion looks like this:

1 extra unit of 10 wyches
-haywire grenades
-Raider(DL, FF,)
[190 pts.]

1 extra unit of 10 kabalites
- Splinter cannon
[100 pts.]

1 unit of 5 Wracks
-Liquifier
-Venom
[115 pts.]

1 unit of 4 Wracks
-Venom
[95 pts.]

-Haemonculus will be given a liquifier and included with the Wracks [+10 pts.]
-Other unit of Wyches will be increased to 10 (with Haywire grenades) [+24 pts.]
Total: 399 + 534 = 933 Pts.

However, I think this lacks some vehicle killing power, and there's not much I can add for 67 points to counter that. So I'll probably have to drop something (Wracks?). Any suggestions of what to drop/add to make this list a bit more competative?

I vote vehicles, but thats mainly just because my DE are all vehicles riders.

If you want to stick with footslogging you may want to look at something for long range support, maybe scourges? Or trueborn.

On second look, I notice you are looking at venoms, good choice, Id def recommend taking the splinter cannon upgrade for them.

Thanks for the tips. I'll definitely put some splinter cannons on the venoms. With that increased firepower, I can give up a unit of kabalites to free up more points.

I like your idea of adding Scourges (because they're awesome models). With the kabalites gone, I'd have enough points for 5 scourges with 2 dark lances.

Of course I could also skip the scourges, put the remaining kabalites in a raider and have some points left for upgrades...

Firstly, and most importantly...Welcome to Dakka

Now...onto the list:

Frunzle wrote:HQ
1 Haemonculus: Venom blade, Liquifier
[65 pts.]

Troops
10 Kabalite warriors: Splinter cannon
[100 pts.]

10 Kabalite warriors: Splinter cannon
[100 pts.]

5 Wracks: Liquifier
Venom
[115 pts.]

4 Wracks
Venom
[95 pts.]

10 wyches: haywire grenades
-Raider: DL, FF
[190 pts.]

10 wyches: haywire grenades
-Raider: DL, FF
[190 pts.]

Fast Attack
3 Reaver Jetbikes
- 1x Heat lance
[78 pts.]

Total: 933 pts.

6 troops in a 1000 point list is quite impressive! If you're against having Ravagers then you'll need to find another way to get some ranged anti-tank in there, I'd suggest dropping the splinter cannons on the Warriors in place of Dark Lances. I'd second Xeriapt's idea of taking the second cannon on each venom, that will make up for the poisoned shots that you'd loose from the warriors.

If I was you I'd drop both of the Wyches down to squads of 9 and put the Haemy in with them. Wracks already have FNP, wyches will benefit from his pain token the most. If you can manage it, try and squeeze a second Haemonculus into the list.

What can I say, I love a good infantry-based army (and Dark Eldar troops choices seem pretty good).

I completely forgot about the FNP benefit from the Haemonculus (does it show I haven't played Dark Eldar yet? ). Should I just put him in and remove him from the squad to transfer the pain token and keep fleet? Or is he worth more in the squad than the extra run move?

I should be able to put in another Haemy, although it will be tight with the extra dark lances in them. Ah well, I'll see what I can change around after I played a few games.

Anyway, thanks a lot for all the advice, this should help me organize my army a bit better.

I normally just leave the Haemy in the transport, disembark with the Wyches (taking the pain token with them) and assault with the 9 models.

Another option then is to disembark them as two seperate units, that will let you get a shot with the liquifier.

Then the only other thing I can suggest is upgrading one Wych in each squad to a Hekatrix and giving her an agoniser, I doubt you'll have the points for that though. Unless you drop the Reaver Jetbikes.

Gorechild has a very good point - with limited anti-mech and the Warriors footslogging - they really should just have lances not S.Cannons.

The RJBs are not giving you what you need. Someone mentioned Scourges, and that's not a bad idea. If you're set on avoiding Ravagers (who are *not* the "best" Heavy slot, they are, however, the most affordable way to get lances into the army - there's a big difference) but, still, if you're set on avoiding Ravagers then you should note other affordable options for lances;

Warriors - 5 w. Blaster in a Raider is two lances for cheap.
Trueborn - 3 w. 3 Blasters in a Raider will net you 4 lances at a great value.
Archon - can be given a Blaster for cheap and has a good BS, oft overlooked.
Scourges - actually are best with Haywire Blasters in my opinion, but are a fairly functional option.

I would say all of the above is superior for anti-mech shooting as compared to the RJBs, the big advantage of the RJBs is that they are cheap - but you are getting what you paid for.

Dang, I was really hoping to keep the RJB's (mostly because I already have them), but I see your point. Maybe I'll just put them back in after 1000 pts.

Again, thanks for the tips. I'm glad to see that there are viable (and cool) alternatives to using Ravagers.

I use a Talos in my heavy support spot. 2 in reserve with WWP on the Haemy will Cause a stir. you said you wanted fun!

I do like the jetbikes, I use 2 units of 3 both with a heatlance atm.
While they are expensive I just like to use them, it may be a good idea for you to leave them out untill you expand to 1500pts though just because they take up a fair chunk of pts and are easily killed off.

Try them in a few games though, if people leave them alone till its too late I find heat lances do some nasty damage when your in half range.

Well, just played my first game wiith my original 400 points list (against Blood Angels) forgot to switch out the Splinter Cannon for a Dark Lance, and it went disastrous: Raider went down in turn one, RJB's in round two and my wyches were unable to get even remotely close to my opponent's Razorbacks, which meant I had nothing useful to shoot with for the rest of the game.

I got a bit cocky with the RJB's because I rolled 6 on combat drugs, and thought moving flat out with FNP would keep them safe for long enough to get a close range shot with the Heat lance.

I did have fun though, and I did learn a few things. I really need that extra dark lance in there to pose any kind of threat to the Razorbacks. I can't wait to play a re-match.

I'll look into the Talos, they seem pretty cool units and I do like fun